Watery Eyes: Causes, Treatments, and Remedies

A watery eye is a disorder characterised by an outpouring of tears onto the face with no apparent cause.  Watery eyes are caused by either excessive tear production or inadequate tear film drainage from the  eyes. 

Although tears are necessary to keep the eye’s front surface healthy and clear, too many tears can make  it difficult to see. Moreover, watery eyes can strike at any age; however, it is more common in children under 12 months and people over 60. One or both eyes may be affected. The illness can, however, be  adequately treated. 

Causes of watery eyes 

When you are emotional, laughing, coughing, experiencing intense taste sensations, or yawning, it is  usual to generate surplus tears. Dry eye syndrome is one of the prominent causes of watering eyes. 
Nevertheless, blocked tear ducts and excessive tear production are the two most common reasons for  watery eyes. 

Tear ducts that are clogged:  

Some people are born with tear ducts that are underdeveloped. Watery eyes are familiar in newborns,  but they usually clear up within a few weeks as the tear ducts grow. Exposure to wind or cold  temperatures can aggravate these symptoms in certain circumstances. 

Tears produced in excess: 

As the body tries to wash the irritant away, irritated eyes may produce more tears than usual.  Overproduction of tears due to irritation may be accompanied by inflammation, redness, itching,  impaired vision, discomfort, and increased sensitivity to light, depending on an individual cause. 

Other symptoms of watery eyes may include: 

• eye pain,
• eye inflammation or eye infection,
• runny nose, 
• vision impairment,
• allergies,
• sneezing,
• eye swelling, and
• eye redness 

Treatment of watering eyes 

Treatment of watering eyes is determined by the severity, the underlying cause, and whether or not  accompanying symptoms of watering eyes exist. In minor circumstances, doctors may advise watching  the patient’s progress or doing nothing at all. Additional treatment of watering eyes may be required if  the problem does not resolve on its own or if symptoms of watering eyes worsen. 

Different reasons for watery eyes require other treatments, such as

• Irritation: Watering caused by viral conjunctivitis is usually self limiting and needs supportive  therapy like lubricants; however, bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic drops. – Trichiasis: The doctor will remove an inward-growing eyelash or a foreign object stuck in the eye  from the affected eye. 
• Ectropion: If the patient’s eyelid turns outwards, he may require surgery to tighten the tendon  that holds the eyelid in place. One or both eyelids may get affected by this illness. 
• Oculoplasty: Problems related to excessive watering from the eyes may be because of blockage  of the eye’s tear drainage system, and these can be effectively treated with a simple surgery called oculoplasty.

How to stop watery eyes at Home? 

If you are searching for ways online on “how to stop watery eyes at home”, don’t worry; we got it  covered. You can treat some occurrences of watering eyes at home itself. You can use over-the-counter  (OTC) eye drops to treat various underlying symptoms of watering eyes.

• Taking regular breaks from reading, watching TV, or using the computer are examples of home  cures.
• lubricating the eyes using eye drops (available over-the-counter or online) – stroking the afflicted  eyelid with a warm, damp towel to release any blockages 

Why Centre for Sight 

We are the most preferred location to turn to for any of your eye-care needs, with 45 locations across India and over 150 doctors. Our modern diagnostic technologies assure a speedy and accurate diagnosis,  so you don’t have to wait long to begin your treatment. Our oculoplastic unit is regarded as one of the  best in India, as we employ cutting-edge technology to ensure that the best treatment for watering eyes  is provided.

Article:  Watery Eyes: Causes, Treatments, and Remedies
Author: CFS Editorial Team  |  Dec 25 2021 | UPDATED 09:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his privatecapacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.