The Eye Clinic4 min read
Watery, streaming eyes are one of the most common eye complaints — and one of the most frustrating, because the cause isn't always obvious. Here's what's usually behind it, and when it's worth having looked at.
The surprising cause: dry eye
It sounds back-to-front, but one of the most common reasons for watery eyes is dry eye. When the surface of the eye gets dry and irritated, it triggers a reflex flood of tears — so the eye over-waters in bursts rather than staying comfortably moist.
That's why 'just watery eyes' often responds to treating the underlying dryness, not to drying the eye out further.
Other common causes
Watering can also come from allergies or irritation (itchy, red, seasonal), from blocked or narrowed tear drainage channels that stop tears draining away properly, or from the eyelids turning slightly in or out with age so the tears aren't swept away as they should be.
A blocked tear duct is common in babies and usually settles on its own; in adults it's worth assessing, as it can sometimes be helped with a simple procedure.
What can help
Because the causes are so different, the fix depends on getting the diagnosis right. Lubricating drops and warm compresses often help if dryness is behind it; allergy treatment helps if that's the trigger; and drainage or eyelid problems may need a specialist assessment.
If your eyes water constantly, or it comes with pain, redness, discharge or a change in vision, it's worth having checked rather than putting up with it.
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