Alternative Names
Epiphora; Tearing - increased
Definition of Watery eyes:
Watery eyes occur when there is too much tear production or poor drainage of the tear duct.
Common Causes:
Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of the eye and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.
Causes of watery eyes include:
- Allergy to mold, dander, dust
- Blepharitis
- Blockage of the tear duct
- Conjunctivitis
- Environmental irritants (smog or chemicals in the air, wind, strong light, blowing dust)
- Eyelid turning inward or outward
- Foreign bodies and abrasions
- Infection
- Inward-growing eyelashes
- Irritation
Increased tearing sometimes accompanies:
Oddly enough, one of the most common causes of excess tearing is dry eyes. Drying causes the eyes to become uncomfortable, which stimulates the body to produce too many tears. One of the main tests for tearing is to check whether the eyes are too dry.