What are watery eyes?
Watery eyes occur when your eyes produce too many tears or when they are unable to properly drain the tears. Watery eyes can be bothersome and may come with other symptoms, such as blurry vision, painful eyelids, discomfort, irritation, or sticky eyes.
Symptoms of watery eyes
Excessive tearing can cause blurry vision. Watery eyes can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- A burning sensation
- Dry eyes
- Sensitivity
- Itching
- Tired eyes
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
Some people experience watery eyes when outside or in the morning upon waking up, while others may have them all day long.
Common causes of watery eyes
The most common cause of watery eyes is a malfunction of the Meibomian glands in your eyelids. Normally, these glands release an oily substance that helps slow down the evaporation of tear moisture in your eyes. If these glands aren’t working well, dry spots can form on your eyes, causing pain, which then triggers more tear production as a reflex. Ironically, watery eyes can be caused by dry eyes.
Other possible causes of watery eyes include:
- A drooping lower eyelid, making it harder for tears to reach the drainage canals, or an inward-turning eyelid causing the eyelashes to rub against the eye.
- Blocked or narrowed tear ducts
- Allergies
- Eye irritation (such as from a foreign object, light, or chemical fumes)
- Eye infections
Treatment for watery eyes
The treatment for watery eyes depends on the cause. It is advised to ask your optician for an eye health check-up. This will help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment.
If you have dry eye syndrome, you may be prescribed moisturizing eye drops or given advice on avoiding activities that worsen your symptoms. You may also receive tips on eye hygiene.
If symptoms are severe, you may be referred to your general practitioner. Your doctor can prescribe medication if the cause is an allergy or infection. In certain cases, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for further investigation.
Next Steps
We want to help you maintain clear vision and keep your eyes healthy. If we detect signs of red eyes or other eye conditions during your eye exam with an eye health check-up, the optometrist will discuss the best treatment options with you.
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