It’s a common and often bothersome experience: your eye starts watering unexpectedly. You might find yourself constantly reaching for a tissue, wondering, “Why Is My Eye Watering?”. Excessive tearing, or epiphora, can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from simple irritants to underlying medical conditions. Understanding the reasons behind your watery eyes can help you address the issue effectively.
One of the most frequent culprits, especially in babies and young children, is blocked tear ducts. Tear ducts are not responsible for producing tears; instead, they act as a drainage system for tears, similar to how storm drains remove rainwater. Tears normally drain from the eye into the nose through tiny openings called puncta, located on the inner eyelids near your nose. From there, tears travel through a thin passage known as the nasolacrimal duct, which opens into the nasal cavity. In infants, this duct may not be fully developed and functional in the first few months of life, leading to persistent watery eyes.
In older adults, persistent watery eyes can sometimes occur as the skin around the eyelids loses elasticity with age, causing the eyelids to sag away from the eyeball. This sagging can disrupt the natural drainage of tears, leading to a buildup and making it difficult for tears to properly enter the tear ducts and drain into the nose. Adults can also experience blocked tear ducts due to various factors such as eye injuries or trauma, infections, and inflammation.
Sometimes, the issue isn’t drainage, but rather an overproduction of tears. This can happen when your eyes are trying to compensate for dryness. Paradoxically, dry eyes can trigger excessive tearing as the eye attempts to lubricate itself. Furthermore, any inflammation of the eye’s surface can lead to watery eyes. This inflammation can be caused by foreign objects lodged in the eye, allergic reactions, or viral infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Certain medications can also contribute to watery eyes. Chemotherapy drugs are known to sometimes cause this side effect. Additionally, some eye drops, particularly those used to treat glaucoma like echothiophate iodide and pilocarpine, or epinephrine, can also lead to increased tearing as a side effect.
While watery eyes are often a minor inconvenience, it’s important to pay attention to any accompanying symptoms. If your watery eyes are persistent, painful, or accompanied by vision changes, redness, or discharge, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor or eye care professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They can determine the underlying cause of your watery eyes and recommend the best course of action to bring you relief.
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.
