Watery eyes can be due to many factors and conditions.
In infants, persistent watery eyes, often with some matter, are commonly the result of blocked tear ducts. The tear ducts don't produce tears, but rather carry away tears, similar to how a storm drain carries away rainwater. Tears normally drain into your nose through tiny openings (puncta) in the inner part of the lids near the nose. In babies, the tear duct may not be fully open and functioning for the first several months of life.
In older adults, persistent watery eyes may occur as the aging skin of the eyelids sags away from the eyeball, allowing tears to accumulate and flow out.
Sometimes, excess tear production may cause watery eyes as well.
Allergies or viral infections (conjunctivitis), as well as any kind of inflammation, may cause watery eyes for a few days or so.
Medication causes
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Epinephrine
- Eyedrops, especially echothiophate iodide and pilocarpine
Common causes
- Allergies
- Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
- Blocked tear duct
- Common cold
- Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid
- Corneal ulcer
- Dry eyes (decreased production of tears)
- Ectropion (outwardly turned eyelid)
- Entropion (inwardly turned eyelid)
- Foreign object in the eye: First aid
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis)
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Sty (a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid)
- Tear duct infection
- Trachoma
Other causes
- Bell's palsy
- Blow to the eye or other eye injury
- Burns
- Chemical splash in the eye
- Chronic sinusitis
- Facial nerve palsy
- Inflammatory diseases
- Radiation therapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
- Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)
- Sjogren's syndrome
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Surgery of the eye or nose
- Thyroid disorders
- Tumors affecting the tear drainage system
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis)
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- Riordan-Eva P, et al. Lacrimal apparatus. In: Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com. Accessed June 4, 2015.
- Tearing (epiphora). Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/tearing. Accessed June 4, 2015.
- Tearing. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/symptoms/tearing.cfm. Accessed June 4, 2015.
- AskMayoExpert. Dry eye disease. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014.
- AskMayoExpert. Corneal abrasion. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014.