Your eyes make tears all day to keep their surface moist, and most of the time you don’t notice them. You notice them when they start running down your cheeks while you’re driving or scrolling on your phone.
Watery eyes usually mean something is irritating or drying out the surface of your eyes. Sometimes the tears simply can’t drain away, which is something we look for during adult and senior eye exams. You can stop watery eyes by treating whatever’s triggering the extra tears, starting with simple steps at home and seeing your optometrist if the watering keeps up.
What Causes Watery Eyes?
Your tears normally drain through tiny openings near the inner corners of your eyelids and down into your nose. Watering happens when your eyes make more tears than that system can handle, or when the drainage gets blocked.
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons. When your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears don’t have the right makeup, they respond with a rush of extra tears to protect the surface. So your eyes can feel gritty and still run.
Eye allergies are another big trigger. Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mould can set off an immune reaction that leaves your eyes itchy and streaming with clear, watery discharge. Cigarette smoke and perfume can bring on the same symptoms.
A blocked tear duct stops tears from flowing into your nose, so they pool along your lower lid and spill over. In adults, a long-term infection or inflammation can narrow the duct.
Simple Ways to Stop Watery Eyes at Home
If dryness or irritation is behind the watering, you can try a few changes at home first. Start with these:
- Use lubricating eye drops to add moisture to the surface of your eyes.
- Hold a warm compress over your closed eyes for a few minutes to loosen the oils in your eyelid glands.
- Run a humidifier when the furnace is on and the air in your home gets dry.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Aim for a full night of sleep, since tired eyes often feel drier.
Allergies need a different approach. Soak a clean washcloth in cold water and rest it over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes to calm the itch. Artificial tears kept in the fridge can feel soothing too.
How Screen Time Can Make Your Eyes Water
Staring at a screen changes how often you blink. Most of us blink around 17 times a minute, but that number can drop to about 4 when we’re focused on a monitor, and the surface of the eye starts to dry out.
These habits can help with digital eye strain during long workdays:
- Blink fully and often, especially when you finish an email or a page.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule and look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
- Place your monitor at least 50 cm away, roughly an arm’s length, and slightly below eye level.
How to Protect Your Eyes From Irritants
Wind dries out your eyes and carries pollen and grit with it. A pair of wrap-around sunglasses can block a lot of that on breezy days. They’re also an easy way to finish an outfit for a walk with the dog or a weekend game.
Around the house and car, you can limit your exposure in a few other ways:
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days and run the air conditioning instead.
- Point car vents and desk fans away from your face.
- Wash your hands after petting animals.
- Mop floors instead of sweeping, which can stir allergens back into the air.
If you wear contact lenses, switch to your glasses for a day or 2 when your eyes feel irritated.
Watery Eyes in Babies & Older Adults
The cause of watery eyes often depends on age, so here’s what we tend to see in our youngest and oldest patients.
Watery Eyes in Babies
About 6 in 100 babies are born with a blocked tear duct, usually because the duct is too narrow or has extra tissue blocking it. With gentle massage and time, about 85% of these ducts open on their own. Your optometrist can show you how to do the massage safely.
Book a children’s eye exam if you notice any of these:
- Redness around the eye or eyelid
- Swelling near the inner corner of the eye
- Yellow or sticky discharge
- Watering that hasn’t cleared up by your baby’s first birthday
Watery Eyes in Older Adults
As we age, the tissue that holds the lower eyelid in place can loosen. In some people, the lid sags and turns away from the eye, a condition called ectropion. Tears can’t reach the drainage opening, so they collect along the lid and spill onto the cheek.
Lubricating drops and ointments can keep mild cases comfortable. When the lid sags more, an eyelid procedure may be an option, and we can refer you to a specialist.
When to See an Optometrist About Watery Eyes
An optometrist can examine your tear film and eyelids, then recommend care that fits the cause. Book a visit if you notice:
- Watering that continues after you’ve tried home steps
- Redness that won’t go away
- Changes in your vision
- Eye pain
- A lump or swelling near your inner eyelid
If something gets into your eye or your vision changes suddenly, seek emergency eye care right away.
Find the Cause of Your Watery Eyes
Once you know what’s behind the extra tears, watery eyes are usually manageable. At Headwaters Optometry, our optometrists can closely examine your tear film and eyelids to identify what’s triggering them and recommend care that fits your daily routine.
Book an appointment and let’s get your eyes feeling comfortable again!
