Watery eyes, also known as epiphora, are a common condition that can affect anyone. While occasional tearing is a normal bodily function to keep your eyes moist and clear of irritants, persistent or excessive watering can be bothersome and even disrupt your daily life. Understanding why your eyes keep watering is the first step towards finding effective relief and addressing any underlying issues.
Common Causes of Watery Eyes
It’s perfectly normal for your eyes to produce tears in certain situations. Exposure to smoky environments, cold air, or wind can all trigger tear production as a protective mechanism. Similarly, if you get dust, an eyelash, or another foreign particle in your eye, watering is a natural response to flush it out. However, if your eyes are constantly watering without these obvious triggers, there might be other reasons at play.
Several factors can contribute to chronic watery eyes:
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Tears drain away from your eyes through small channels called tear ducts. If these ducts become blocked, tears can’t drain properly and accumulate on the surface of your eye, leading to watering.
- Allergies and Infections: Allergic reactions to pollen, pet dander, or dust mites, as well as eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye), can irritate the eyes and cause increased tear production.
- Eyelid Problems: Conditions like ectropion, where the eyelid turns outward, or other eyelid issues can affect tear drainage and lead to watery eyes.
- Dry Eyes Paradox: Ironically, dry eyes can also be a cause of watery eyes. When your eyes are dry, they may overcompensate by producing excessive tears in an attempt to stay lubricated.
- Bell’s Palsy: This condition, causing temporary weakness on one side of the face, can sometimes affect eyelid function and tear drainage.
- Medications and Cancer Treatments: Certain medications and cancer treatments can have side effects that include increased tear production.
- Undeveloped Tear Ducts in Babies: Newborns and young babies often experience watery eyes because their tear ducts are still developing. This usually resolves on its own within a few weeks.
What Can You Do For Watery Eyes?
If you are experiencing persistent watery eyes, there are several steps you can take, starting with self-care measures and seeking advice from healthcare professionals.
Self-Care at Home
For mild cases of watery eyes, especially when related to temporary irritants, you can try these home remedies:
- Keep your eyes clean: Gently wipe away excess tears with a clean, soft cloth or tissue. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can worsen irritation.
- Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses when outdoors to shield your eyes from wind and sun, which can trigger tearing.
- Avoid irritants: Try to identify and avoid potential triggers like smoke, dust, or allergens.
Seeking Help from a Pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can provide valuable advice and recommend over-the-counter solutions for watery eyes. They can help you with:
- Self-treatment advice: Pharmacists can suggest home care techniques and lifestyle adjustments to manage your symptoms.
- Over-the-counter products: They can recommend suitable eye drops, cleaning solutions, or allergy medications to alleviate watery eyes depending on the suspected cause.
- Guidance on when to seek further medical attention: Pharmacists can advise you if your symptoms warrant a visit to an optician or general practitioner (GP).
When to See a Doctor for Watery Eyes
While watery eyes often improve on their own or with simple remedies, it’s important to know when to seek medical advice.
Non-Urgent GP Appointment
Consult your GP if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent watery eyes disrupting daily activities: If your watery eyes are ongoing and interfere with your work, hobbies, or everyday life.
- Eyelid abnormalities: If you notice your eyelid turning inwards (entropion) or drooping outwards (ectropion).
- Lumps or swellings around the eyes: If you develop any unexplained lumps or swellings that don’t improve with pharmacist-recommended treatments.
Urgent Medical Help
Seek urgent medical attention in these situations:
- Changes in vision: If you experience any sudden changes in your vision, such as blurred vision or vision loss.
- Severe eye pain: If you have intense eye pain associated with watery eyes.
For urgent advice, you can contact NHS 111 by phone or online for guidance.
Treatment Options for Watery Eyes
Treatment for watery eyes depends entirely on the underlying cause. In many cases, if the watering is mild and not causing significant problems, treatment might not be necessary. However, when treatment is required, it can include:
- Eye drops, gels, ointments, or sprays: These can be prescribed to manage dry eyes, which are paradoxically causing excessive tearing.
- Antibiotic eye drops: These are used to treat bacterial eye infections like conjunctivitis.
- Allergy medications: Antihistamines or other allergy medications can help control watery eyes caused by allergies.
- Removal of foreign objects: If a foreign object is causing the watering, a doctor can safely remove it.
- Surgery: In cases of blocked tear ducts or eyelid problems, a minor surgical procedure might be needed to correct the issue and restore proper tear drainage.
If your GP cannot determine the cause of your watery eyes, they may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for further examination and specialized tests.
Understanding the potential causes of why your eyes keep watering is crucial for seeking appropriate care and finding effective relief. Don’t hesitate to consult with a pharmacist or doctor to address persistent or concerning symptoms and maintain your eye health and comfort.
This article provides general information and does not substitute professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your eye health, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider.
