Watery eyes can be due to many factors and conditions.

In babies and children, blocked tear ducts are the most common cause of persistent watery eyes. The tear ducts don't make tears. Rather, they carry away tears, like how a storm drain carries away rainwater. Tears usually drain into the nose through tiny openings called puncta in the inner part of the eyelids near the nose. Then the tears travel through a thin tissue layer over the opening that empties into the nose, called the nasolacrimal duct. In babies, the nasolacrimal duct may not be fully open and functioning for the first several months of life.

In older adults, persistent watery eyes may happen as the aging skin of the eyelids sags away from the eyeballs. This lets tears build up and makes it harder for the tears to drain properly into the nose. Adults also can develop blocked tear ducts due to causes such as trauma, infections and swelling called inflammation.

Sometimes, the tear glands make too many tears. This can be in response to the eye surface being dry. Any type of eye surface inflammation also may cause watery eyes, including tiny objects that get stuck in the eye, allergies, or viral infections.

Medicine causes

  1. Chemotherapy medicines
  2. Eye drops, especially echothiophate iodide, pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine) and epinephrine

Common causes

  1. Allergies
  2. Blepharitis (a condition that causes eyelid inflammation)
  3. Blocked tear duct
  4. Common cold
  5. Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid
  6. Corneal ulcer
  7. Dry eyes (caused by decreased production of tears)
  8. Ectropion (a condition in which the eyelid turns outward)
  9. Entropion (a condition in which the eyelid turns inward)
  10. Foreign object in the eye: First aid
  11. Hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis)
  12. Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis)
  13. Keratitis (a condition involving inflammation of the cornea)
  14. Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  15. Stye (sty) (a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid)
  16. Tear duct infection
  17. Trachoma (a bacterial infection that affects the eyes)

Other causes

  1. Bell's palsy (a condition that causes sudden weakness on one side of the face)
  2. Blow to the eye or other eye injury
  3. Burns
  4. Chemical splash in the eye: First aid
  5. Chronic sinusitis
  6. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (a condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels)
  7. Inflammatory diseases
  8. Radiation therapy
  9. Rheumatoid arthritis (a condition that can affect the joints and organs)
  10. Sarcoidosis (a condition in which tiny collections of inflammatory cells can form in any part of the body)
  11. Sjogren's syndrome (a condition that can cause dry eyes and a dry mouth)
  12. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a rare condition that affects the skin and mucous membranes)
  13. Surgery of the eye or nose
  14. Tumors affecting the tear drainage system

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Aug. 27, 2024

See also

  1. Allergies
  2. Allergy medications: Know your options
  3. Allergy-proof your home
  4. Blepharitis
  5. Blocked tear duct
  6. COVID-19 and vitamin D
  7. Cold or allergy: Which is it?
  8. Cold remedies
  9. Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
  10. Common cold
  11. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  12. COVID-19: How can I protect myself?
  13. Herd immunity and respiratory illness
  14. COVID-19 and pets
  15. COVID-19 and your mental health
  16. COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu
  17. COVID-19 drugs: Are there any that work?
  18. COVID-19 in babies and children
  19. Coronavirus infection by race
  20. COVID-19 travel advice
  21. COVID-19 vaccines for kids: What you need to know
  22. COVID-19 vaccines
  23. COVID-19 variant
  24. COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences
  25. COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
  26. Debunking coronavirus myths
  27. Different COVID-19 vaccines
  28. Dust mite allergy
  29. Ectropion
  30. Entropion
  31. Eyestrain
  32. Fight coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission at home
  33. How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?
  34. How well do face masks protect against COVID-19?
  35. Humidifiers
  36. Is hydroxychloroquine a treatment for COVID-19?
  37. Long-term effects of COVID-19
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: You're washing your hands all wrong
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: How dirty are common surfaces?
  40. Milk allergy
  41. Nasal Cleaning
  42. Neti pot: Can it clear my nose?
  43. Pet allergy
  44. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  45. Pregnancy and COVID-19
  46. Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
  47. Safety tips for attending school during COVID-19
  48. Sex and COVID-19
  49. Treating COVID-19 at home
  50. Unusual symptoms of coronavirus
  51. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  52. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  53. Wheat allergy
  54. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?