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Watery Eyes (Epiphora)

Do your eyes constantly water? Learn why your eyes keep watering, common causes of runny eyes, and how to stop a watery eye.

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What are watery eyes?

Watery eyes, or epiphora, happen when your eyes produce too many tears or they don’t drain properly. This can be linked to irritation, infection or blocked tear ducts, so finding the cause can help guide treatment.

What are the symptoms of watery eyes?

If your eye keeps watering, you might experience a range of symptoms beyond just the tears themselves. These can include: 

  • Excessive tearing: The most obvious symptom, where tears continuously overflow from your eyes, often running down your cheeks. This is why your eyes always water. 

  • Blurred vision: The constant presence of tears on the eye surface can temporarily blur your vision. 

  • Eye irritation or discomfort: Your eyes might feel gritty, itchy, or sore, as if there's something in your eye. 

  • Redness: The eyes may appear red or bloodshot due to irritation. 

  • Swelling around the eyes: Especially if you rub your eyes frequently due to irritation. 

  • Crusting on eyelids: Particularly in the morning, if the tears mix with discharge. 

  • Stinging or burning sensation: Your eye stinging and watering can be a common complaint.

An optician delivers an eye test to a customer

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above it's worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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What causes watery eyes?

Here are some common reasons your eyes may keep watering:

  1. Irritants:

    Smoke, dust, strong cold winds, bright light, or even certain chemicals in the air can irritate your eyes, causing them to produce more tears to flush out the irritant.

  2.  Allergic reactions to pollen (hay fever), pet dander, or dust mites can cause itchy, red, and watery eyes.

  3. Dry Eye Syndrome

    Ironically, dry eyes can lead to watery eyes. When your eyes are too dry, they send a signal to produce a flood of tears to compensate, but these tears often lack the proper balance to lubricate the eye effectively.

  4. Blocked tear ducts:

    This is a common cause of continuous watery eyes. If the tear drainage system is blocked, tears cannot drain away and overflow. This can happen due to infection, inflammation, or age.

  5. Infections:

    Conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye) can cause inflammation and excessive tearing, often accompanied by redness and discharge.

  6. Ectropion:

    When the lower eyelid turns outwards, preventing tears from draining into the puncta.

  7. Entropion:

    When the eyelid turns inwards, causing eyelashes to rub against the eye, leading to irritation and tearing.

  8. Blepharitis:

    Inflammation of the eyelids can affect tear quality and drainage.

  9. Corneal abrasions or ulcers:

    A scratch or injury to the surface of the eye can cause significant tearing and pain.

  10. Foreign body in the eye:

    Even a tiny speck of dust or an eyelash can cause your eye to water excessively as it tries to remove the object.

  11. Styes or chalazions:

    Lumps on the eyelid can sometimes interfere with tear distribution or drainage.

  12. Age:

    As we age, the tear drainage system can become less efficient, leading to more frequent watery eyes.

  13. Medications:

    Some medications, including chemotherapy drugs, eye drops like pilocarpine and echothiophate iodide, and blood pressure medications like beta‑blockers and diuretics, can cause watery eyes.

 How are watery eyes treated?

The treatment for watery eyes depends entirely on the underlying cause. Once your optometrist has diagnosed why your eyes keep watering, they can recommend the most appropriate course of action. 

  • Addressing irritants: If environmental factors are the cause, avoiding them (e.g., wearing sunglasses in windy conditions, using a humidifier) can help. 

  • Allergy management: Antihistamine eye drops or oral medications can relieve watery eyes caused by allergies. 

  • Dry eye treatment: If dry eye is the cause, artificial tears (eye drops) can help lubricate the eyes and reduce reflex tearing. 

  • Treating infections: Bacterial infections like conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops. 

  • Eyelid correction: For conditions like ectropion or entropion, minor surgery may be needed to correct the eyelid position. 

  • Massage: For infants with blocked tear ducts, gentle massage can sometimes help open the blockage. 

  • Probing: In some cases, a thin probe can be used to open a blocked tear duct. 

  • Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR): A surgical procedure to create a new drainage pathway between the tear sac and the nasal cavity for persistent blockages. 

  • Foreign body removal: If a foreign object is causing the tearing, your optometrist can safely remove it.

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Can watery eyes be prevented?

While not all causes of watery eyes can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage symptoms: 

  • Protect your eyes from irritants: Wear sunglasses outdoors to shield your eyes from wind, dust, and bright light. Avoid rubbing your eyes. 

  • Manage allergies: If you have allergies, take prescribed medication and try to minimise exposure to allergens.  

  • Practice good eye hygiene: Wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your eyes. Clean your eyelids if you have conditions like blepharitis. 

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water can help maintain overall body hydration, which supports tear production. 

  • Use artificial tears: If you suffer from dry eyes, regular use of lubricating eye drops can prevent reflex tearing. 

  • Regular eye tests: Routine eye examinations can help detect and address underlying issues before they become severe. 

Watery Eyes FAQs:

Written by our experts for peace of mind

https://images.ctfassets.net/zcryw81f0g1x/5mrcuMDlru21b9LMMuIQn7/34dcf1c5e9fe3ed41c4ea4077537d61f/Ross_Campbell_Northallerton.jpg

Ross Campbell

BSc Hons MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc Prof Cert Med Ret

Ross is an experienced optometrist having graduated in 2007 from Bradford University. He is also ophthalmic director of Specsavers Swaledale with Northallerton & Thirsk, a pre‑registration supervisor, professional advancement consultant, and a WOPEC Lead Assessor. He has previously worked as Director of Optometry Advancement for Specsavers and as a columnist for Optician & ProFile magazine.

Related Conditions

Not sure if this is what you're experiencing? Explore some related conditions:

  • Dry Eye Syndrome

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  • Squint

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  • Astigmatism

    This is simply an imperfection in the shape of your eye that affects how you see.

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If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, or have experienced any symptoms mentioned above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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