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Why does my eye keep watering?

You’re minding your own business, scrolling through hilarious memes — memes are a universally essential part of daily life — and suddenly, your left eye starts leaking like a faucet. Or maybe it’s your right eye that won’t stop welling up. Either way, you’re left dabbing away rogue tears like you’re in a soap opera, minus the dramatic music. 

Ever wondered why your eye keeps watering? (Or why eyes water in general?) You’re not alone. Doesn’t matter if you call it leaking, running, watering, welling up, or tearing, it’s all part of the same eye fountain saga.

Below, we explore why eyes water, including the good, the bad, the ugly, and the random. We also discuss when watery eyes might be a sign of something bigger. And to bring everything full circle, we help you choose the best eye drops for watery eyes — sometimes, you just need a little hydration hero in your corner. 

Let’s turn off your eye-faucet together.

Causes and why eyes water

Before we pin the blame on your dusty office or a rogue onion, let’s break down the main reasons eyes keep watering (also known by the fancy term “epiphora”). Below is a list of common culprits.

Dry eye paradox

In a plot twist only your tear ducts could dream up, dryness often leads to extra tearing. When the surface of your eye gets too dry or irritated, it can trigger a “flood the area” reflex — cue excessive tearing.

Allergies

Your eyes probably aren’t fans of pollen, pet dander, feathers or down from bedding, and dust mites. Allergies can cause itching, redness, and unstoppable watering that feels like your eyeballs are throwing a pool party you didn’t permit.

Blocked tear ducts

If one eye keeps tearing (or both, but usually it’s just one), a blocked tear duct could be at play. Tears normally drain through tiny ducts in the inner corners of your eyes. If debris or inflammation clogs them, tears have nowhere to go but down your cheek.

Eyelid issues

Conditions like ectropion (when your eyelid droops away from the eye) or entropion (when it flips inward) can disrupt the normal tear-drainage process, leading to watery eyes. It’s basically a mechanical problem — like a misaligned pipe causing water to leak out.

Environmental irritants

Smoke, wind, strong fumes, or that super-chilly AC vent can make your eyes produce extra tears as a defense mechanism.

Allergy-like irritations 

Ever used a strong household cleaner or been to the pool and felt your eyes stinging and watering? Harsh chemicals can force your tear glands into overdrive. Same goes for stray eyelashes or specks of dirt.

Infections 

Viral or bacterial infections can cause redness, discharge, and watery eyes. Sometimes, you see more goop than tears, but watery, irritated eyes are a classic sign too.

Contact lens conundrums

Old or ill-fitting contacts can irritate your cornea. Meanwhile, overwearing lenses can lead to dryness, stinging, and watery eyes trying to compensate.

Tiredness or eye strain

Pulling an all-nighter or spending ages staring at a screen can cause dryness (less blinking) and tearing when your eyes finally remember they need moisture.

Can watery eyes be a symptom of something serious?

Usually, watery eyes are harmless — like a mild protest from your tear ducts. But in some cases, they can point to bigger issues. Here’s when to pay attention:

  • Persistent infection or discharge: If you notice thick, discolored gunk (yellow or green) in addition to incessant tears, you might have a bacterial infection that needs prescription treatment.

  • Unrelenting redness or pain: Eye pain that feels like your corneas on fire or extreme redness that doesn’t ease up may be more than dryness or allergies. Severe irritation, injury, or certain eye conditions could be the culprit.

  • Blurry vision or changes in eyesight: If watery eyes come paired with blurry vision or difficulty seeing (like halos around lights), it’s time to see an eye care professional. You want to rule out any underlying eye disease ASAP.

  • Foreign object or trauma: Injuries, chemical splashes, or a stubborn something in your eye can cause constant watering. This scenario requires prompt medical attention. (Please don’t just flush once and hope for the best — seek help if it’s serious.)

Ignoring red-flag symptoms can worsen a potential issue, whether it’s an infection or corneal damage. In some cases, waiting it out leads to bigger complications, like a worsened infection or even scarring. 

Watering in one eye

Ever had the left eye keep watering while the right eye’s totally chill? Or vice versa? Here are the big suspects for a single soggy eyeball:

  • Blocked tear duct: If tears can’t drain, they’ll just spill over. It often affects one side more than the other.

  • Tiny irritant: A sneaky eyelash or piece of dust in that specific eye can cause an endless tear-fest.

  • Eyelid malposition: Ectropion or entropion might happen in just one eyelid, messing up tear drainage.

If a blockage isn’t improving with gentle warm compresses, it’s wise to see an eye care professional. They might suggest minor procedures to clear that duct. Also, if your eye is super red or painful, or you notice discharge, don’t wait — book an appointment. 

Yawning and eye watering

Raise your hand if you’ve ever yawned so hard you looked like you were sobbing uncontrollably. We’ve all been there, right? But why do you keep yawning and your eyes water simultaneously?

Surprisingly, yawning can trigger a mini “squeeze” around the eye area. (Your facial muscles briefly tense up.) That muscle action can press on your tear glands, leading to a small tear flush (like a cameo appearance for tears). It’s not a sign of sadness or any major problem — it’s basically a quirk of biology.

Remember, yawning-induced tears are normal. However, if your eyes keep watering all the time outside of yawns — like you’re walking around your workplace tear-streaked for no reason — look into dryness or allergies as the possible cause.

Burning and watering

Few eye sensations are more obnoxious than that searing, I’m-on-fire feeling, swiftly followed by a tear avalanche. If your eyes keep burning and watering, it can be the result of:

  • Dry eye: Ironically, dryness often causes burning, which triggers reflex tears.

  • Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids can cause a burning or gritty feeling, plus watery eyes.

  • Irritants: Smoke, strong cleaning supplies, or chlorine from a pool can make your eyes burn and water.

  • Contact lens trouble: Overused or dirty lenses can cause dryness, leading to that “someone lit a match in my eyes” vibe.

If artificial tears (see more on those below) don’t relieve the burning or you suspect an infection — perhaps there’s discoloration in the discharge or your eyelids are crusted — talk to an eye care professional.

Many over-the-counter eye drops for watery eyes specifically target dryness and burning. For example, lubricating drops can moisturize the eye’s surface, reducing dryness and the reflexive waterfall. If allergies are the villain behind the burn, an antihistamine eye drop might help.

Stinging and watering

Sometimes, your eyes aren’t so much burning as they are stinging. Let’s be honest: They’re close cousins — both can unleash tears. If your eyes keep stinging and watering, you might be looking at the same set of suspects as burning eyes: dryness, allergens, environmental irritants, or even chemical exposure. Stinging is often the eye’s way of saying, “There’s something in here; fix it now!”

Our advice is to treat stinging similarly to burning. Lubricate, eliminate possible allergens, and consider gentle rinsing (with sterile saline, not just tap water) if you suspect something snuck in. If the stinging is severe or you notice your eyes hurt and keep watering for hours on end, consult a professional — there might be a scratch or minor infection you can’t see.

Need a quick recommendation? Grab artificial tears made for sensitive eyes to see if the stinging subsides. If not, time to chat with an expert.

Eyes watering at night

So, you’re winding down for bed, and your eyes keep insisting they just watched a sad movie. Or maybe you’re noticing your eyes are extra watery in the morning. Why?

  • Contact lens overwear: Falling asleep in lenses not approved for overnight wear can irritate your corneas, leading to dryness plus watery eyes (the worst of both worlds). If you need extended-wear lenses, check with an eye care professional for the correct type of night contacts — don’t just snooze in regular dailies. Alternatively, try giving your eyes a break every couple of weeks and wear a backup pair of eyeglasses.

  • Night dryness: Some people sleep with their eyes partially open. (We know, super weird, but it happens.) That can dry out your cornea, prompting tears. A fan or AC vent blowing on your face all night can have the same effect.

  • Tear duct drainage changes: At night, your body’s tear production can fluctuate. If your tear drainage system is compromised or you’ve got mild eyelid issues, tears might not drain properly when you’re lying down.

If your eye keeps watering for no reason at night but you also wake up with pain, blurred vision, or sticky discharge, see a professional. Otherwise, simply adjusting your nighttime routine might help (like turning off the overhead fan or using thick lubricating gel drops before bed).

Eye drops for watery eyes

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Alright, so which eye drops for watery eyes should I be using?” The catch is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You want drops that address your brand of eye woe. Let’s look at the main categories.

Drops for dryness (burning or stinging)

If dryness is fueling your watery eyes (hello, paradox), you need lubricating or artificial tears. These add moisture to the eye’s surface, so your tear ducts don’t feel the need to go into meltdown mode.

Look for drops labeled “lubricating,” “soothing,” or “for dry eyes.” Brands often include words like “long-lasting” or “advanced hydration.”

If you’re a contact lens wearer, check whether the drops are contact-friendly. Some require you to remove lenses first.

Drops for allergies

When watery eyes come with itchiness, redness, or sneezing, it’s likely allergies. Antihistamine or allergy eye drops can help block the allergic response, calming the watery overflow.

These drops often contain ingredients like ketotifen, olopatadine, or other antihistamines. If your allergies are fierce, combine them with an oral antihistamine, but watch out for extra dryness that can cause more watery eyes in response. (Yes, it’s complicated.)

Drops for pink eye

If your eyes are watering and you suspect conjunctivitis (especially if one eye keeps leaking, or you see thick discharge or major redness), antibiotic or antiviral drops might be needed. However, these are prescription only. See an eye care professional to confirm the cause.

For mild viral or allergic pink eye, sometimes regular lubricating drops can help soothe symptoms, but they won’t cure an infection if it’s bacterial.

If you’re unsure what’s causing your watery eyes or you’ve tried standard drops to no avail, it’s best to get an in-person or online vision exam. If you’re dealing with a blocked tear duct, an infection, or some mechanical eyelid issue, you need more than just a random eyedrop fix.

One size fits all … or not?

In a perfect world, there’d be a single magical drop for every cause of eye watering. But, alas, watery eyes can stem from dryness, allergies, mechanical blockages, or infections — each needs a different approach. That’s why understanding the root cause is crucial. Using an allergy drop on an infected eye, for example, won’t do much except maybe irritate it more.

When in doubt, go with a basic lubricating drop labeled for sensitive eyes. It won’t hurt, and it can help flush out minor debris. But if your tears keep flowing despite trying over-the-counter solutions, that’s your green light to talk with an eye care professional.

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