All About Watery Eyes
While excessive tearing is not concerning, it can lead to serious complications. Manage it with home remedies and effective treatment for better vision.
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Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Watery eyes or epiphora is the condition where the eyes fail to drain the excess water, and it overflows onto the face. While tears are important to keep the eyes moist and lubricated, their overproduction is also an issue. There are different reasons for this condition, from infection to blocked tear ducts to pollution. In some cases, underlying medical conditions such as dry eye syndrome or eyelid abnormalities can also contribute to excessive tearing. Thus, understanding the causes of watery eyes is crucial for identifying the appropriate treatment and preventing discomfort.
Common Causes
There are some common causes which are responsible for the eyes being watery all the time. Some of the reasons are –
Allergic Reactions: Sometimes, allergic reactions to pollen, dust, mites, etc., can trigger watery eyes. When allergens come into contact with the eyes, they cause irritation and inflammation, leading to this condition.
Infections: Eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or blepharitis, can cause irritation and increase tear production. Bacterial or viral infections inflame the conjunctiva and eyelids, making the eyes watery, red, and sensitive to light.
Chemical Irritants: Harsh chemicals, strong odours, and, in some cases, smoke and pollution can also harm the eyes. They increase tear production to flush out harmful substances.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also lead to the excess water in the eyes. These are –
Dry Eyes: Even though it may sound contradictory, when the eyes are dry and do not have enough lubrication, they get triggered and produce excess tears.
Blocked Tear Ducts: Tears drain from the eyes through small ducts in the inner corner of the eyes. But when these ducts are blocked or narrowed, tears accumulate and overflow.
Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, known as conjunctivitis, also causes overproduction of tears.
Eyelid Problems: Eyelid problems like ectropion (outward-turning eyelid) or entropion (inward-turning eyelid) also cause this problem. While ectropion prevents tears from draining properly, entropion causes irritation that produces excessive tears.
Symptoms Associated With Watery Eyes
The major symptoms of water eyes are:
Excessive tears running down the cheeks all the time
Blurred vision
Eye pain
Sensitivity to light
Crusts on the eyelid after sleep
Irritation and redness
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of watery eyes or epiphora starts with the specialist using a coloured eye drop. They apply it to see if the eye is draining the liquid properly. If not, then it is evident that the tear ducts are blocked. Sometimes, the doctor uses an endoscope through the nose to find out if there are any blockages in the sinus or tear ducts.
Here are the conditions when one should seek immediate medical attention –
Eyes are watery all the time
Change in vision making it impossible to see clearly
Swelling in eyes
Painful eyes
Feeling a lump in the eye
Treatment Options
There are many treatment options available to manage watery eyes. Here is more on that –
Usually, over-the-counter medications like artificial tears help treat this condition caused by dry eyes. Also, doctor-prescribed antibiotics and steroid drops help cure eye infections and inflammation.
Also, oral medications containing antihistamines help to manage this condition.
In terms of home remedies, individuals can try applying a warm compress, practising better eye hygiene, and wearing sunglasses outdoors to protect the eyes.
Typically, surgery is the last resort for watery eyes. A minor surgical procedure called dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is performed to create a new drainage pathway.
Preventative Measures
There are some preventative measures that individuals can use to keep away from epiphora; these are:
Individuals must refrain from rubbing their eyes aggressively, as this might cause abrasion of the tear layer, leading to watering of the eyes.
One must stop wearing contact lenses for longer periods and maintain contact lens hygiene.
It is important for individuals to take breaks while working on a computer so that their eyes are not strained.
Individuals must always blink often, or else the eyes might be dry and cause them to produce excess tears.
One must always have a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to keep the eyes healthy.
Individuals should always wear spectacles or safety goggles while travelling or working outside.
Individuals should wash their eyes with cold water to flush out any debris or dirt accumulating in the eyes.
Home Remedies and Natural Treatment
A few home remedies and natural treatments can be practised to avoid watery eyes. These are:
Using a saltwater solution to clean the eyes. Saltwater usually resembles tears, and the eyes use that to clean themselves. Since salt has anti-microbial properties, it is ideally used to treat the eye from all kinds of infections.
Cold teabags can provide relief to the eye. The tea bags can be kept in the refrigerator and then put over the eyes to relieve stress and prevent infection.
A warm compress provides relief from dry eye syndrome and discharges all kinds of irritants that cause the eye to be itchy and sore.
Cold compress is used to provide relief to the eye from distress. It does not kill any infection but helps soothe the eyes by reducing swelling.
One can place cucumber over the eyes to help them relax.
Individuals should also focus on maintaining hydration to protect eye health.
Potential Complications
A few potential complications can occur if epiphora is not treated at the earliest, like -
It can lead to severe infections, such as conjunctivitis or pink eyes, and cause inflammation and swelling of the eye.
Eyelid dispositioning may occur if epiphora is not treated on time. Chronic tearing can also cause a change in the position of the eye.
Perpetual wetness due to an untreated epiphora can damage the cornea, which is also exposed to debris and tears.
If the eyes start tearing excessively, it might lead to loss of vision in the long run.
There are ways we can manage complications caused by epiphora; these are –
The first and primary point is to identify the reason behind epiphora and conclude whether it is an allergy, infection, eyelid dispositioning, a blocked tear sinus duct, or corneal infection.
Next, individuals need to start with home remedies like applying warm or cold compression over-the-counter eye drops to manage the initial symptoms.
Lastly, patients must see a doctor to start the proper treatment based on detailed diagnosis.
In Conclusion
Watery eyes, or epiphora, can result from various factors, including allergies, infections, and medical conditions. While home remedies and preventive measures help manage symptoms, seeking medical attention is essential for persistent cases. With proper diagnosis and management, one can overcome this problem and lead a life devoid of vision-related problems.
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