How to Get Relief from Watery Eyes

Your eyes produce three main types of tears: basal, reflex, and emotional tears. Basal tears are made continuously to lubricate and protect the eye’s surface. Reflex tears are released more quickly when something irritates the eye, such as smoke, wind, or debris. When your eyes water excessively, they may be producing too many basal or reflex tears, or the tears may not be draining normally. 

Environmental factors such as cold air, wind, and smoke can worsen dryness and trigger reflex tearing. Because tear production and drainage rely on several parts of the eye working together, any disruption can lead to excessive watering. 

Poor tear drainage is often related to a narrowed or blocked tear duct. Possible causes include chronic inflammation, swelling, infection, glaucoma, previous eye or sinus surgery, or certain cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. Makeup and other cosmetic products may also contribute to irritation, styes, or infection, which can make the eyes water. 

Symptoms That May Accompany Watery Eyes

Excess tears are the most obvious sign of watery eyes, but other symptoms may appear at the same time. These can include:

• Blurry vision 

• Discharge 

• Eyelid issues (such as skin being wiped away or the lower lid becoming loose from rubbing/wiping tears continually) 

• Discomfort/irritation 

• Light sensitivity 

Who’s Most Likely to Have Watery Eyes?

Excessive tearing is particularly common in newborns and older adults. Older people may experience changes in eyelid position that interfere with normal tear distribution or drainage.   

Entropion occurs when the eyelid turns inward toward the eye, while ectropion happens when the lower eyelid turns outward. Because the eyelids need to sit in the correct position to spread and drain tears properly, either condition can lead to excessive watering. Both may be treated surgically when needed.   

Newborns may develop nasolacrimal duct obstruction, also known as dacryostenosis. This condition affects an estimated 6% to 20% of infants and may cause excessive watering and discharge. It often improves as the tear ducts continue to develop. Gentle massage, eye drops, or topical antibiotics may occasionally be recommended. By a child’s first birthday, about 90% of cases have resolved.  

How to Treat Watery Eyes

Because watery eyes can have many different causes, treatment varies from one person to another. In some cases, your EyeCare Associates doctor may recommend monitoring the symptoms to see whether they improve without treatment. You may also be able to try several at-home options for relief.

Over-the-Counter Eye Drops and Artificial Tears

Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can help lubricate the surface of the eye and reduce irritation caused by dry eye and other conditions. Artificial tears are available at most pharmacies, but different products contain different ingredients and preservatives.   

If you use drops more than four times a day, preservative-free, single-use options may be a better choice. Frequent exposure to certain preservatives can increase irritation in sensitive eyes. If over-the-counter drops do not provide enough relief, your EyeCare Associates doctor may recommend a prescription treatment.

Allergy Medicines

When pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or other allergens cause watery eyes, treating the allergic response may provide the most effective relief. Antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines may help reduce itching, watering, and irritation.   

For more severe allergy symptoms, an eye doctor may recommend a short course of prescription anti-inflammatory drops. Avoid using medicated eye drops longer than directed, and speak with an eye doctor if symptoms continue. 

A Cool Humidifier in the Winter

Cold winter air and indoor heating can lower humidity and cause tears to evaporate before they can fully protect the cornea. When the eye becomes too dry, it may respond by producing even more reflex tears. 

Using a cool-mist humidifier can add moisture to the air and reduce dryness-related watering. Aim for an indoor humidity level of about 40% to 50%. To prevent mold and bacteria, empty, rinse, and dry the humidifier reservoir each day and replace filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Warm Compresses

Warmth can help loosen the oil produced by the meibomian glands along the eyelid margin. These oils help stabilize the tear film and prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. Improving oil flow may reduce dryness and reflex tearing. 

You can purchase a reusable eye compress or make one by soaking a clean washcloth in warm, not hot, water. Place it over your closed eyelids for five to 10 minutes. A warm compress may also help with blocked eyelid glands, styes, or chalazia. 

Do not apply a warm compress if the eyelid skin appears infected or severely inflamed. Always wash your hands before and after touching the area around your eyes. 

When Should Your Watery Eyes Be Checked by a Doctor?

Seek immediate medical care if watery eyes occur with a sudden decrease in vision, significant eye pain, or the feeling that something is stuck in your eye. These symptoms may point to an injury, infection, or another condition that requires prompt treatment. 

An eye doctor can determine what is causing the tearing and recommend the appropriate care. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include medicated eye drops, oral antibiotics, allergy management, dry eye care, or further evaluation of the tear drainage system. 

You should also schedule an eye exam if the tearing continues, repeatedly affects one eye, produces discharge, or interferes with reading, driving, wearing contact lenses, or other daily activities. 

What to Do if an Eyelash or Object Is in Your Eye

An eyelash, dust particle, or other small object can irritate the eye’s surface and trigger sudden tearing. Your tears may wash the particle out on their own, but there are a few safe steps you can take:

1. Wash your hands before touching the area around your eye. 

2. Remove your contact lenses (if you wear them). 

3. Blink several times to encourage your tears to wash away the particle. 

4. Rinse the eye with clean, lukewarm water or sterile saline solution. 

5. Avoid rubbing your eye, which could scratch the cornea or push the object farther under your eyelid. 

Never use tweezers, cotton swabs, or other tools to remove an object from your eye. You should also avoid trying to remove anything that appears embedded in the eye.   

Contact an eye doctor if rinsing does not remove the object, the sensation continues, or you develop ongoing redness, pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision. Seek urgent care for chemical exposure, sharp or embedded objects, injuries caused by high-speed debris, severe pain, or any change in sight.

Watery Eyes in One Eye vs. Both Eyes

Whether excessive tearing affects one eye or both eyes can give your doctor useful information about the possible cause. However, a professional eye exam may still be needed to determine exactly what is happening.   

Watering in one eye is more likely to be connected to a problem within that specific eye. Possible causes include an eyelash or foreign object, a corneal scratch, localized irritation or inflammation, or a blocked tear duct. Tearing caused by a temporary irritant may improve after gentle rinsing. Schedule an eye exam if one eye waters repeatedly, the symptom does not improve, or you also experience swelling, discharge, pain, or vision changes.   

When both eyes are watering, the cause may be affecting the eyes more generally. Common possibilities include dry eye, seasonal or environmental allergies, smoke, wind, cold air, illness, or extended screen use. If both eyes continue to water despite avoiding irritants or using basic at-home care, an eye doctor can help determine whether dryness, allergies, infection, or another condition is responsible.  

What EyeCare Associates Doctors Look for During an Exam

When you visit EyeCare Associates for watery eyes, your doctor will look beyond the tears themselves to identify what may be triggering the symptoms. The evaluation may include:

• A Review of Your Symptoms: Your doctor may ask when the watering started, whether it affects one or both eyes, what makes it better or worse, and whether you also have itching, burning, discharge, pain, or blurred vision. 

• An Evaluation of the Eye’s Surface: The doctor will check for dryness, irritation, inflammation, scratches, or foreign objects that may be causing excess tearing. 

• A Tear Film Assessment: Because dry eye can trigger reflex tearing, your doctor may evaluate the quality and stability of your tears. 

• An Eyelid and Eyelash Examination: Eyelid position, blocked oil glands, or eyelashes growing toward the eye can interfere with comfort and tear drainage. 

• An Allergies or Infection Check: Redness, swelling, discharge, and other signs can help your doctor determine whether allergies, inflammation, or an infection may be contributing to your symptoms. 

• An Evaluation of Tear Drainage: If tears are not draining properly, your doctor may look for signs of a narrowed or blocked tear duct.  

• A Review of Contact Lenses, Medications, and Eye Care Products: Contact lens wear, certain medications, and some drops or cosmetics may contribute to irritation or dryness. 

Based on the findings, your doctor can recommend treatment for the underlying problem instead of only trying to reduce the tearing. Care may include lubricating drops, allergy treatment, eyelid hygiene, changes to contact lens habits, or additional evaluation when a drainage issue or another eye condition is suspected.