Watery eyes (constant tearing) in older adults

I am 80 years old and my eyes are constantly tearing. What causes this? Can I do anything about it?

- Joseph / Maine

Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist Dennis Robertson, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

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Tear drainage system

Watery eyes, or constant tearing, in older adults can have many causes.

Normally when you blink, your eyelids move tears across your cornea to the little openings at the inner part of your eyelids (the puncta). Tears enter the puncta and drain through a small tube (nasolacrimal duct) into your nose.

In older adults, age-related changes may cause the eyelid tissues to relax, which interferes with their normal function in removing tears. If the lid tissues relax too much, the inner part of the lid may not lie flat against the eye surface, which prevents tears from entering the puncta. This condition is called ectropion. Treatment of ectropion may include eye drops, protective eyewear or surgery.

Narrowing or partial obstruction of the puncta is another cause of watery eyes. This can often be corrected with a relatively simple procedure in your doctor's office.

Other possible causes of watery eyes include irritation, infection, dry eyes, allergies and blocked tear ducts. To determine the cause of watery eyes, consult an ophthalmologist. Treatment, when possible, depends on the underlying cause.