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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffIn children, the most common cause of persistent watery eyes is a blocked or incompletely opened tear duct. A blocked tear duct also is common among older adults. Older adults are also more likely to experience dry eyes and relaxation of the muscles that hold the inner part of the eyelid flat against the eye. Both of these conditions may lead to watery eyes. Tears normally drain into your nose through tiny openings (puncta) in the inner part of the lids near the nose. If your eyelid doesn't lie flat against your eye surface, tears can't reach the puncta to drain into the nose, so they pool and may run over the lid.
Common causes of watery eyes include:
- Blepharitis (eyelash inflammation)
- Blocked tear duct
- Common cold
- Dry eyes (decreased production of tears)
- Ectropion (outwardly turned eyelid)
- Entropion (inwardly turned eyelid)
- Foreign object in the eye: First aid
- Hay fever
- Infection of the tear duct
- Ingrown eyelash (trichiasis)
- Irritation of the cornea (front of the eye)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Less commonly, watery eyes may result from:
- Blow to the eye or other eye injury
- Chronic sinusitis
- Congenital or early-onset glaucoma in infants
- Floppy eyelid syndrome
- Granulamatosis
- Other inflammatory diseases
- Radiation therapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Seventh nerve palsy (damage to a facial nerve)
- Sjogren's syndrome (generally causes dry mouth and eyes)
- Surgery of the eye or nose
- Thyroid disorders
- Tumors affecting the tear drainage system
Medications that can cause watery eyes include:
- Antihistamines
- Beta blockers
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Diuretics
- Eyedrops, especially echothiophate iodide (Phospholine Iodide), pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine)
- Pain relievers
- Sleeping pills
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- Sullivan JH, et al. Lids, lacrimal apparatus, & tears. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3090486. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Tearing. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.aao.org/theeyeshaveit/symptoms/tearing.cfm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Tearing (epiphora). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec09/ch098/ch098.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Price KM, et al. The tearing patient: Diagnosis and management. EyeNet Magazine. http://www.aao.org/aao/publications/eyenet/200906/pearls.cfm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hurwitz JJ. The lacrimal drainage system. In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201909637-2/0/1869/585.html?tocnode=56526. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Dry eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/dry-eye.cfm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Paysse EA, et al. Approach to the child with persistent tearing. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 19, 2010.
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