Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 4 minutes
Eyes water for many reasons, including dryness, allergies, irritation, infection, or problems with normal tear drainage. Occasional tearing is normal, but frequent or persistent watery eyes may be a sign that something is irritating the eye or affecting the tear system.
We provide eye care for children and adults at our locations in Denver, Aurora and Thornton. We accept Medicaid!
Dental and Vision Care in One Convenient Location
At our Denver and Aurora locations, Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics and Youth Vision are conveniently located in the same building. This means you can receive both dental and vision care at one familiar location, without extra travel or scheduling stress.
Table of Contents
Dry Eyes Can Cause Excessive Tearing
It may seem contradictory, but dry eyes can sometimes make your eyes water more. When the surface of the eye becomes too dry or irritated, the tear glands may respond by producing a sudden flow of watery tears.
These reflex tears can make your eyes look or feel very watery, but they may not provide the same lasting lubrication as a healthy tear film. You may also notice burning, grittiness, redness, or a feeling that something is in your eye.
Dryness can have many causes, including environmental conditions, prolonged screen use, certain medications, contact lens wear, and changes in the tear film.
Allergies and Irritants Can Trigger Tearing
Allergies can trigger inflammation that makes the eyes itchy, red, and watery. Pollen, pet dander, dust, and other allergens may cause symptoms in one or both eyes.
Smoke, wind, strong fragrances, and other irritants can also trigger extra tears as your eyes try to flush away whatever is bothering them.
If allergies are responsible, watery eyes often occur along with itching. Avoiding known triggers and getting appropriate treatment can help control symptoms.
Eye Infections Can Increase Tearing
Some eye infections cause excessive tearing along with other symptoms. For example, conjunctivitis can cause redness, irritation, discharge, or a gritty feeling in addition to watery eyes.
Because infections, allergies, and other eye conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms, it is important not to assume that every red, watery eye has the same cause. We provide evaluation and treatment for eye infections and pink eye when symptoms suggest more than simple irritation.
Sometimes Tears Do Not Drain Properly
Your eyes normally drain tears through small openings near the inner corners of the eyelids. If this drainage system becomes narrowed or blocked, tears can collect on the surface of the eye and spill onto the cheek.
Blocked tear ducts can affect adults, but they are also relatively common in babies. A child with a blocked tear duct may have persistent tearing or moisture around one eye even when they are not crying.
An eye exam can help determine whether excessive tear production or a drainage problem is contributing to persistent symptoms.
How Can You Stop Watery Eyes?
How to stop watery eyes depends on what is causing them. A treatment that helps dry eyes may not be appropriate for an infection or blocked tear duct, so identifying the cause comes first.
Depending on the problem, helpful steps may include:
- Take regular breaks from screens if eye strain or dryness contributes to symptoms
- Avoid smoke, wind, or known allergy triggers
- Use appropriate lubricating eye drops when recommended
- Remove contact lenses if they are causing irritation
- Avoid rubbing itchy or irritated eyes
- Treat an allergy, infection, or other underlying eye condition when necessary
If your eyes continue watering despite simple changes, a comprehensive eye exam can help us look for dryness, irritation, infection, vision concerns, and other possible causes.
Schedule an Eye Exam
At Youth Vision, we provide comprehensive vision care for children and adults at our Denver, Aurora, Thornton, and Hampden locations. If you or your child has persistent watery eyes or another change in eye comfort, contact us to schedule an eye exam.
To schedule an eye exam, contact the location most convenient for you:
Phone: (303) 825-2295
Phone: (303) 343-3133
Phone: (303) 450-0184
FAQs
Why is only one of my eyes watering?
One eye may water more than the other if something is irritating that eye or if there is a problem with tear drainage on one side. An infection, foreign object, eyelid issue, or other eye condition can also cause one-sided tearing.
Can too much screen time cause watery eyes?
Screen use can contribute to watery eyes because people tend to blink less while looking at digital devices. Less frequent blinking can allow the eye surface to become dry, which may trigger reflex tearing.
Why do my eyes water when I go outside?
Wind, cold air, bright conditions, pollen, and other outdoor irritants can trigger tearing. Your eyes may produce extra tears as a protective response, particularly if they are already dry or sensitive.
Can contact lenses cause watery eyes?
Contact lenses can contribute to watering if they become dry, dirty, damaged, or irritating to the eye. Persistent discomfort or tearing while wearing contacts should be evaluated so we can check the lenses, their fit, and the health of the eye.
