Watery eyes tear often or too much. Another name for watery eyes is epiphora.
Depending on the cause, watery eyes may clear up on their own. Self-care measures at home can help, especially if the cause is dry eyes.
Watery eyes can be due to many factors and conditions.
In babies and children, blocked tear ducts are the most common cause of persistent watery eyes. The tear ducts don't make tears. Rather, they carry away tears, like how a storm drain carries away rainwater. Tears usually drain into the nose through tiny openings called puncta in the inner part of the eyelids near the nose. Then the tears travel through a thin tissue layer over the opening that empties into the nose, called the nasolacrimal duct. In babies, the nasolacrimal duct may not be fully open and functioning for the first several months of life.
In older adults, persistent watery eyes may happen as the aging skin of the eyelids sags away from the eyeballs. This lets tears build up and makes it harder for the tears to drain properly into the nose. Adults also can develop blocked tear ducts due to causes such as trauma, infections and swelling called inflammation.
Sometimes, the tear glands make too many tears. This can be in response to the eye surface being dry. Any type of eye surface inflammation also may cause watery eyes, including tiny objects that get stuck in the eye, allergies, or viral infections.
See a healthcare professional right away if you have watery eyes with:
- Worse vision or changes in vision.
- Pain around your eyes.
- The feeling that something is in your eye.
Watery eyes may clear up on their own. If the problem is due to dry eyes or eye irritation, use of artificial tears may help. So might placing a warm compress over your eyes for a few minutes. If you keep getting watery eyes, make an appointment with your healthcare professional. If needed, you may be referred to an eye doctor called an ophthalmologist.
Show References
- Watering eyes. National Health Service. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/watering-eyes/. Accessed May 2, 2024.
- Adult tearing. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. https://www.asoprs.org/adult-tearing. Accessed May 2, 2024.
- Tearing (epiphora). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmic-disorders/tearing. Accessed May 2, 2024.
- Tearing. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/tearing. Accessed May 2, 2024.
- Coats DK, et al. Approach to the child with persistent tearing. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 2, 2024.
- Chodnicki KD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 3, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/watery-eyes/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050821