Watery eyes can often indicate underlying issues such as tear film imbalance or dry eye disease. Understanding these causes is crucial for effective management.
Watery eyes occur when the eye produces an excess amount of tears, often as a response to irritation or imbalance in the tear film. This condition might seem contradictory because many people associate dryness with a lack of tears, yet watery eyes can actually be a sign of underlying tear film issues. Knowing the causes of watery eyes is important in guiding both diagnosis and effective management.
Your eyes rely on a delicate, three-layered tear film composed of water, oil, and mucus. Each layer plays a key role: the watery layer provides moisture, the oily layer helps prevent evaporation, and the mucus layer ensures the tears spread evenly. When this perfect balance is disrupted, your eyes can become irritated, triggering a reflex response that leads to an overproduction of watery tears.
The paradox of watery eyes often lies in the imbalance of your tear film rather than simply not producing tears. When any of the three layers is off—whether through deficiency or rapid evaporation—the ocular surface becomes irritated. In an attempt to compensate, your body produces more watery tears. However, these reflex tears lack the essential oils that help them stay on the eye’s surface, so they run off quickly, leaving your eyes still feeling dry and uncomfortable.
One of the most surprising causes of watery eyes is dry eye disease. Although the name suggests a lack of moisture, dry eye disease is actually a condition where the quality of your tears is compromised. When your tear film is unstable, due to either decreased production or excessive evaporation, your eyes may become dry and irritated. Here's how that process contributes to watery eyes:
Find a top optometrist near you to discuss your watery eye symptoms and explore tailored treatment options.
Not all watery eyes are due solely to tear film imbalances. Another common cause is an issue with tear drainage, leading to a backup of tears on the eye's surface.
Normally, tears drain away from your eyes through small openings called puncta, which are located at the inner corners of your eyelids, and then into the nasal cavity. If one or more of these ducts become partially or completely blocked, tears accumulate and eventually overflow onto your cheeks. This blockage can be due to:
The position and health of your eyelids greatly affect how tears are spread and drained. Certain eyelid conditions can disrupt this process, leading to watery eyes.
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that often results from bacterial growth or skin conditions. This discomfort and irritation can cause your eyes to water excessively. When your eyelids are inflamed, it becomes challenging for the tear film to remain stable, pushing your tear production into overdrive.
Eyelid malpositions, such as ectropion (where the eyelid turns outward) or entropion (where it turns inward), can also affect tear drainage. In ectropion, the misaligned eyelid pulls the tear duct away from its proper position, leading to tear accumulation. Conversely, entropion can cause the lashes to irritate the eye’s surface, prompting reflex tearing as the body attempts to flush out the irritants.
Find a top optometrist near you to discuss your watery eye symptoms and explore tailored treatment options.
Watery eyes may indicate tear film imbalance or dry eye disease. Discover the underlying causes and effective management strategies.
