Watering eyes are common and usually get better on their own.
You may need treatment if it affects your daily activities.
Causes of watering eyes
It's normal for your eyes to water in smoky environments or if you're outside in the cold or wind.
Your eyes can also water because of an eye injury or something in your eye, such as an eyelash or a piece of grit.
Sometimes the cause of watering eyes can be a condition such as:
- an allergy
- an infection, such as conjunctivitis
- blocked tear ducts (small tubes that tears drain into)
- ectropion - your eyelid drooping away from the eye
- entropion - your eyelid turning inwards
- dry eye syndrome - this can cause your eyes to produce too many tears
Babies often have watering eyes because their tear ducts are small. It usually gets better by the time they're age 1.
How to treat watering eyes
You may not need treatment if the watering is not causing problems.
Treatment will depend on the cause of your watering eyes, for example:
- eyedrops can help if your eyes are dry or infected
- medicines can help if you have an allergy, such as antihistamines
- anything in your eye can be removed, such as a piece of grit
- a small operation may be needed if you have a problem with your eyelids or you have blocked tear ducts
How a pharmacist can help
Ask a pharmacist:
- what you can do to treat watering eyes yourself - such as cleaning and protecting your eyes
- if you can buy anything to help - such as eye cleaning solutions, eye drops or allergy medicines
if you need to see an optician or GP
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- your eyes keep watering and it's stopping you from doing everyday activities
- your eyelid is turning inwards or drooping away from your eye
- you have any lumps or swellings around your eyes
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:
- your eyes start watering suddenly and do not settle
- your eyes are very sore or painful
- you have any changes to your vision, such as blurred vision or vision loss
- your baby's eyes are sore, red or very watery
If your GP cannot find the cause of your watering eyes, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for tests.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
