What's Causing My Watery Eyes and How Can I Find Relief?

What Causes Watery Eyes?

Excessive tear production leading to watery eyes has many possible causes. Understanding what's behind this common annoyance is the first step toward finding relief.

Overproduction of Tears

One reason for watery eyes is hyperlacrimation - when the lacrimal glands near the outer upper eyelids produce too many tears. This overfills the tear ducts and causes overflow spilling down the cheeks.

Anything irritating or inflaming the eye surface can prompt more tear secretion as a protective mechanism. Allergens, smoke, pollutants, viruses, sinus issues, and dry eyes paradoxically triggering reflex tearing are potential hyperlacrimation triggers.

Blocked Tear Drainage

Alternatively, watery eyes may result from inadequate tear drainage even with normal lacrimal gland secretion. Tears regularly drain through small nasal puncta located by the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids.

If the puncta or drainage canaliculi get blocked by inflammation, infection, allergies, structural abnormalities, or aging changes, tears back up in the eyes and spill out instead of reaching the nasal cavity.

Common Causes of Watery Eyes

Pinpointing the specific underlying reason for excessive tearing guides appropriate treatment approaches to find relief.

Allergies

Allergic reactions often manifest through watery, reddened eyes as histamine release sensitizes ocular tissues. Common seasonal allergy triggers like pollen, grass, mold, and pet dander can all similarly irritate the eyes.

Food allergies may also be a culprit, with common problematic foods including eggs, milk, shellfish, nuts, soy, and wheat. Environmental allergies to dust mites, chemicals, smoke, and cosmetics likewise may lead to watery eyes.

Eye Infections

Bacterial, viral, or fungal eye infections can cause significant irritation and inflammation manifesting as eye discharge and tearing. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a prime example, with adenoviral or bacterial varieties prompting weepy eyes.

Less commonly, severe watery eyes may signal potentially sight threatening infections like acute angle closure glaucoma or fungal keratitis.

Structural Changes

Anatomical abnormalities affecting tear drainage contribute to excessively watery eyes in some people. Ectropion, when the lower eyelid droops or curls outward, can lead to irritated watery eyes as tears spill from displaced puncta.

Eyelid laxity or malposition for other reasons may likewise misdirect tears. And lacrimal duct obstruction by inflammation, infection, or trauma alters normal tear elimination.

Hormones and Aging

Hormonal shifts in pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause commonly provoke ocular irritation and watering. Advancing age also increases tear production while reducing drainage efficiency, both contributing to episodic watery eyes in seniors.

Foreign Bodies and Irritants

Exposure to airborne irritants like smoke, fumes, and wind can initiate reflexive tearing. So can ocular foreign bodies like dust, sand, eyelashes, cosmetics, and contact lenses if sensitive eyes overreact to the irritation.

Medications

Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications list watery eyes as a potential side effect. Oral drugs with anticholinergic effects, like antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics are common culprits interfering with tear production and drainage.

Relieving Watery Eyes

Treating the underlying root cause and keeping eyes lubricated provides watery eye relief in many cases with patience and perseverance.

Allergy Treatments

Limiting exposure to proven ocular allergens can help reduce associated reflex tearing whenever feasible. Oral antihistamines like Zyrtec or Claritin, nasal sprays, allergy eye drops like Pataday and Zaditor, or immunotherapy injections may also assist.

Eye Medications

Bacterial conjunctivitis requires antibiotic eye drops to clear the infection. Viral pink eye and irritation from pollutants and irritants find relief with lubricating, anti-inflammatory artificial tears free of preservatives.

Glaucoma medications in eye drop form can decrease production of aqueous humor fluid causing symptoms if that is the culprit.

Punctal Plugs and Cautery

Blocking tear drainage via silicone punctal plug inserts lets natural tears remain on the eyes longer to soothe and protect. Punctal cauterization procedures more permanently seal drainage ducts for moisture retention.

These approaches help either reduce tear output if plugging retains natural tears longer or retain tears if drainage issues cause overflow.

Humidifiers and Eyewear

In-room humidifiers add needed moisture to dry indoor air that can otherwise irritate eyes and start a watery eye reflex. Improved lacrimal gland functioning may lessen tearing.

Wraparound glasses protect eyes against wind and airborne allergens. Lenses with anti-reflective coating reduce glare strain prompting watery discomfort.

Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments

Eating more cold water fish high in omega-3s or taking fish oil supplements may curb ocular inflammation. Identifying and eliminating dietary allergy triggers can likewise help in select cases.

Establishing consistent sleep routines, stress management practices, and regular exercise usually supports tear gland regulation and drainage.

When to Seek Medical Care

Sudden onset severe watery eyes demands prompt evaluation to rule out dangerous causes like angle closure glaucoma. Pink eye requires assessment as well to prevent infectious spread or vision threatening complications on rare occasions.

Similarly, increasing floaters, light flashes, pain or vision changes accompanying watery eyes warrants rapid referral to an ophthalmologist. Most intermittent minor instances however tend to resolve with conservative supportive measures.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.