Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDue to Dry EyeAre They Serious?TreatmentHome RemediesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Due to Dry Eye
Are They Serious?
Treatment
Home Remedies
When to See a Provider
Watery eyes, calledepiphora, happen when eyes excessively tear or water when not crying. Common causes ofwatery eyesare allergies, a blocked tear duct, dry eye, and computer overuse. Watery eyes can happen at any age but are more common in older adults and newborns.
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What Causes Watery Eyes?
Blocked Tear Ducts
Your eyes have a passageway that carries tears from the eye surface and toward the nose. Ablocked tear ductis a partial or full blockage within that passageway.
Having a blocked tear duct is common in newborns, affecting an estimated 20% of newborns.However, it usually resolves without treatment in four to six months. Other causes of blocked tear ducts include:
The main symptom of a blocked tear duct is more tearing. In newborns, the tears may appear thicker and more noticeable when they are 2 to 3 weeks old.
Although many blocked tear ducts resolve on their own in newborns, adults require treatment. In newborns, a pediatrician or an eye doctor, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, may recommend a special type of massage near the eye to help open the tear duct.
Reflex Tearing
Reflex tearing is different from emotional tearing, which your body makes in response to an emotion like feeling sad or very happy. Reflex tearing is also different from basal tears, which your eyes produce continuously to protect the dome-shaped front area of your eye called the cornea.
Tear Overproduction
Your eyes may make too many tears, or an overproduction of tears, for many reasons, including:
The treatment for tear overproduction will depend on the cause. If the cause is not obvious, an eye doctor will perform an exam to determine what is causing tear overproduction. Although not all cases of tear overproduction require treatment, you should see an eye doctor if it occurs frequently.
When Are Watery Eyes a Sign of Dryness?
It may sound strange, but having watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye. That’s because with dry eye, your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears that are made are of poor quality. This causes your eyes to produce more tears to lubricate the eyes, which leads to watery eyes.
If dry eye is the cause of your watery eyes, your other symptoms may include:
Are Watery Eyes Serious?
Although watery eyes are irritating, they usually are not serious. The cause of watery eyes ranges from minor irritants in the eye, such as an eyelash, to chronic problems, such as dry eye or allergies.
Although uncommon, watery eyes can be a sign of cancer. If cancer is the cause of your watery eyes, you will most likely have other symptoms, such as double vision, pain, or a change in vision.
How Are Watery Eyes Treated?
The treatment for watery eyes will depend on what is causing them, which is why it’s important to have an exam with an eye doctor if you aren’t sure of the cause. Watery eye treatments include the following, based on the cause:
Treatment for Eye Watering in Babies
If the tear duct does not open on its own or with this massage, a procedure called a probing may be performed. It’s often requires being under general anesthesia. It is very effective at opening the tear duct.
Home Remedies for Watery Eyes
You may wish to try some home remedies, including the following, before you visit an eye doctor for watery eyes:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Here’s when you should contact a healthcare provider for watery eyes:
Summary
Watery eyes have many potential causes, including a blocked tear duct, dry eye, eye allergies, an eye infection, or a scratch to the eye. Sometimes, an underlying health condition can cause watery eyes. Watery eyes are also common in newborns due to a blocked tear duct.
Treatment for watery eyes depends on the cause and may include certain medications or surgery. Home remedies, such as using artificial tears or trying to avoid triggers that irritate the eyes, can sometimes help.
See an eye doctor if your watery eyes persist or if you also have vision changes, pain, or discharge.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Mount Sinai.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.University of Miami Health System.Epiphora (excessive tearing).MedlinePlus.Watery eyes.Penn Medicine.Dry eye.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sjogren’s syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Punctal plugs.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye allergy diagnosis and treatment.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Mount Sinai.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.University of Miami Health System.Epiphora (excessive tearing).MedlinePlus.Watery eyes.Penn Medicine.Dry eye.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sjogren’s syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Punctal plugs.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye allergy diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Mount Sinai.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.University of Miami Health System.Epiphora (excessive tearing).MedlinePlus.Watery eyes.Penn Medicine.Dry eye.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sjogren’s syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Punctal plugs.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye allergy diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?
Mount Sinai.Blocked tear duct.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.
University of Miami Health System.Epiphora (excessive tearing).
MedlinePlus.Watery eyes.
Penn Medicine.Dry eye.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sjogren’s syndrome.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Punctal plugs.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye allergy diagnosis and treatment.
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