Blurred vision and watery eyes. Epiphora: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Watery Eyes

08.08.202327.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the main causes of epiphora. How does epiphora affect vision and eye health. What treatments are available for watery eyes. When should you see a doctor for excessive tearing.

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Understanding Epiphora: The Condition of Watery Eyes

Epiphora, commonly known as watery eyes, is a condition characterized by excessive tear production. While tears are essential for maintaining eye health and comfort, uncontrolled tearing can significantly impact one’s daily life and well-being. This condition can manifest as slight eye watering or a constant stream of tears, often accompanied by various other symptoms.

Common symptoms associated with epiphora include:

Eye redness
Enlarged, visible blood vessels
Eye soreness
Sharp pain
Eyelid swelling
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity

Understanding the underlying causes of epiphora is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Let’s explore some of the most common factors contributing to this condition.

Foreign Objects and Eye Injuries: A Common Trigger for Watery Eyes

One of the most immediate causes of epiphora is the presence of foreign objects or eye injuries. When something enters the eye, it triggers a natural defense mechanism, causing sudden blinking and watering to flush out the irritant. This can be caused by various factors:

Dust or dirt particles
Small debris
Scratches or abrasions
Dirty or torn contact lenses

In addition to excessive tearing, individuals may experience a gritty sensation, pain, or general discomfort in the affected eye. Is immediate action necessary when a foreign object enters the eye? Yes, it’s crucial to rinse the eye gently with clean water or saline solution to remove the irritant. If the object persists or pain continues, seeking medical attention is advisable to prevent further complications.

Allergies and Epiphora: The Connection Between Hay Fever and Watery Eyes

Allergies, particularly hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are a frequent cause of epiphora. This occurs when the body reacts to harmless substances such as:

Pollen
Dust mites
Pet dander
Mold spores

The immune system produces antibodies in response to these allergens, triggering an inflammatory reaction that leads to red, swollen, and watery eyes. Can managing allergies help reduce epiphora symptoms? Indeed, controlling allergen exposure and using appropriate allergy medications can significantly alleviate watery eyes associated with allergies.

Eye Infections and Inflammation: Key Contributors to Excessive Tearing

Various infections and inflammatory conditions affecting the eyes and eyelids can result in epiphora. Some common conditions include:

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Keratitis (corneal inflammation)
Lacrimal gland infections
Ingrown eyelashes
Styes and chalazia
Blepharitis
Trachoma

Each of these conditions can cause varying degrees of eye irritation, leading to excessive tear production. How does proper hygiene play a role in preventing eye infections? Maintaining good eye hygiene, such as regular hand washing and avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes, can significantly reduce the risk of infections that may lead to epiphora.

Tear Duct Obstruction: When Natural Drainage is Compromised

The nasolacrimal ducts, or tear ducts, play a crucial role in draining tears from the eyes. When these ducts become blocked or narrowed, it can result in severe epiphora, affecting one or both eyes. Tear duct obstructions can occur due to various factors:

Swelling
Inflammation
Infection
Genetic conditions (e.g., punctal stenosis)

Symptoms of tear duct obstruction often include eye swelling, redness, and tears flowing down the face. Are there any non-invasive treatments for tear duct obstructions? In many cases, gentle massage and warm compresses can help alleviate minor obstructions. However, persistent blockages may require medical intervention, such as probing or surgery, to restore proper tear drainage.

Eyelid Changes and Their Impact on Tear Distribution

The eyelids play a vital role in evenly distributing tears across the surface of the eyes. Any structural or functional changes to the eyelids can disrupt this process, leading to epiphora. Eyelid changes can occur due to various factors:

Natural aging process
Injuries
Surgical procedures
Neurological conditions

In older adults, thinning and wrinkling of the eyelids can cause tears to accumulate, resulting in watery eyes. Can eyelid exercises help improve tear distribution? While there’s limited scientific evidence, some eye care professionals suggest gentle eyelid exercises may help maintain eyelid tone and function, potentially improving tear distribution in some cases.

Diagnosing Epiphora: When to Seek Medical Attention

Given the various potential causes of epiphora, proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. It’s important to consult an eye care professional if you experience persistent watery eyes, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as:

Pain or discomfort
Vision changes
Redness or swelling
Discharge from the eye
Sensitivity to light

During the diagnostic process, your doctor may perform several tests to determine the underlying cause of your epiphora. These may include:

Visual acuity tests
Slit-lamp examination
Tear drainage tests
Imaging studies (e.g., CT scan or MRI)

How long should you wait before seeking medical attention for watery eyes? If symptoms persist for more than a few days or are accompanied by pain or vision changes, it’s advisable to consult an eye care professional promptly.

Treatment Options for Epiphora: From Home Remedies to Medical Interventions

The treatment for epiphora varies depending on the underlying cause. In many cases, a combination of approaches may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and address the root issue. Some common treatment options include:

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

Warm compresses
Gentle eye massage
Improved eye hygiene
Allergen avoidance
Artificial tears for lubrication

Medical Treatments

Antibiotic or antiviral medications for infections
Antihistamines for allergies
Corticosteroid eye drops for inflammation
Tear duct probing or irrigation

Surgical Interventions

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for severe tear duct obstructions
Eyelid surgery to correct structural abnormalities
Punctal plugs to reduce tear drainage in cases of dry eye

Can epiphora be prevented? While not all cases of epiphora are preventable, maintaining good eye hygiene, protecting your eyes from irritants, and addressing underlying health conditions can help reduce the risk of developing watery eyes.

Understanding epiphora and its various causes is essential for maintaining optimal eye health. By recognizing the symptoms and seeking appropriate care, individuals can effectively manage this condition and improve their overall quality of life. Remember, persistent or severe eye symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Epiphora (Watering Eyes): Causes and Treatment

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Medically reviewed by Noreen Iftikhar, MD — By Noreen Iftikhar, MD — Updated on July 26, 2018

Overview

Tears help your eyes stay healthy and comfortable. However, uncontrolled tearing or watery eyes can impact your well-being and daily life.

Epiphora — more commonly referred to as watery eyes — is when you have excessive tear production. This can happen for a number of reasons. Your doctor can diagnose the cause, but let’s take a closer look at some of the possibilities.

Epiphora can cause your eyes to water slightly, or excessively with a constant stream of tears. You may also experience other symptoms in your eyes, such as:

redness
enlarged, visible blood vessels
soreness
sharp pain
eyelid swelling
blurred vision
light sensitivity

Foreign objects and injury

When you get something in your eye, the resulting irritation can trigger sudden blinking and watering to flush it out. A speck of dust, dirt, or other material may cause an abrasion or scratch. A dirty or torn contact lens can also scratch or injure the eye, leading to epiphora. You may also feel grittiness, pain, or discomfort in your eye.

Allergies

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is a common cause of epiphora. This happens when your body reacts to harmless substances such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. Your immune system makes antibodies to these allergens, triggering an inflammatory response that causes red, swollen, and watery eyes.

Infection and inflammation

Infections and inflammation of the eyes and eyelids can cause epiphora.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a common condition. It’s typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection in one or both eyes. As its name suggests, this condition causes inflamed blood vessels in the eye, giving it a pink or red look.
The cornea, the clear lens of your eye, can become inflamed. This condition is called keratitis. Symptoms include pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and excess tearing and white discharge.
An infection or inflammation in the lacrimal or tear glands can cause swelling and excess tearing.
An ingrown eyelash can become infected causing painful swelling and watery eyes.
A stye looks like a pimple or boil along the lash line. This painful red bump is usually caused by a bacterial infection of oil glands in the eyelid. Similarly, a chalazion is a smaller bump along the edge or underside of the eyelid that is not painful.
Blepharitis is a red, inflamed swelling of the eyelids. This condition happens when the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become clogged.
Trachoma is a serious bacterial infection of the eye. This contagious condition is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Symptoms include itching, swollen eyelids, pus, and epiphora.

Tear duct obstruction

The nasolacrimal ducts are the tear ducts at the inside corner of each eye. They drain away tears to prevent the buildup of water in the eyes. These ducts can become blocked or narrowed, causing severe epiphora. This can affect one or both eyes. This condition affects babies, children, and adults.

The ducts can become blocked due to swelling, inflammation, and infection. Symptoms include eye swelling, redness, and tears that flow down the face.

Some types of obstructions are genetic. Punctal stenosis is a condition where the opening of the eye duct is narrowed or blocked.

Eyelid changes

Blinking your eyelids helps to evenly sweep tears on your eyes. Any changes in the structure and function of the eyelids can cause epiphora.

This may happen naturally or due to injury. Thinned and wrinkled eyelids in older adults can accumulate tears, causing redness and chronic watering.

An ectropic eyelid pulls away from the eyeball. This prevents tears from draining properly. An entropion eyelid is turned inwards. This can cause pressure, scraping, and discomfort in the eye, triggering epiphora.

Other causes

A number of other conditions can cause epiphora, including:

dry eyes
cold and flu
sun and wind
excess use of digital devices
injury to the face
injury to the nose
sinus infection

Some medications may also cause epiphora:

topical blood pressure drugs
chemotherapy drugs (taxane)
epinephrine
eye drops (echothiophate iodide and pilocarpine)
steroids

Your doctor or eye specialist will examine your eyes and both upper and lower eyelids to find the cause of the epiphora. A scope lets your doctor see the blood vessels behind your eye and check eye pressure. Your nose passages and sinus cavities may also be examined. Your doctor will look at your symptoms and medical history.

If you have any discharge or pus from your eye, it may be tested to find out if you have a bacterial or viral infection.

Another test checks the chemical makeup of your tears. One clinical study found that people with epiphora had a lower number of particles in their tears.

Watery eyes are common at any age. This condition is not always a cause for concern. Epiphora due to allergies, a cold, or an eyelid stye usually resolves on its own.

However, epiphora can also be a symptom of a serious infection. See your doctor urgently if you have epiphora along with pain, changes in vision, or a gritty sensation in your eyes.

Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching your face to prevent spreading germs to your eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, you may be at higher risk of eye infections that lead to epiphora. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before placing or removing lenses. Clean lenses daily. Replace old or expired contact lenses.

Protect your eyes and sight and help prevent epiphora with small, consistent changes. Wear sun protection when you’re outside. Reduce eye strain by wearing protective glasses and limiting your time looking at screens. Make complete eye exams a part of your regular health checkups.

Last medically reviewed on July 26, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ali MJ, et al. (2014). Simple vs complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions. DOI:
10.1002/alr.21435
Bernardino RC. (2015). Evaluating epiphora.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Watery eyes.
mayoclinic.org/symptoms/watery-eyes/basics/causes/sym-20050821
Saleh G, et al. (2014). Tear film osmolarity in epiphora. DOI:
10.1097/IOP.0b013e31825e6960
Shin JH, et al. (2015). Impact of epiphora on vision-related quality of life. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2415-15-6
Soiberman U, et al. (2012). Punctal stenosis: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment. DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S31904
Williams B, et al. (2014). Patterns and causes of epiphora referrals to a tertiary oculoplastic practice. DOI:
10.1016/j.jcjo.2013.12.003
Ziahosseini K, et al. (2015). Botulinum toxin injection for the treatment of epiphora in lacrimal outflow obstruction. DOI: 10.1038/eye.2015.18

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Medically reviewed by Noreen Iftikhar, MD — By Noreen Iftikhar, MD — Updated on July 26, 2018

Epiphora (Watering Eyes): Causes and Treatment

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn’s Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women’s Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
- Original Series
  - Fresh Food Fast
  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
  - Health News
  - Find a Diet
  - Find Healthy Snacks
  - Drugs A-Z
  - Health A-Z
Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Noreen Iftikhar, MD — By Noreen Iftikhar, MD — Updated on July 26, 2018

Overview

Tears help your eyes stay healthy and comfortable. However, uncontrolled tearing or watery eyes can impact your well-being and daily life.

Epiphora can cause your eyes to water slightly, or excessively with a constant stream of tears. You may also experience other symptoms in your eyes, such as:

redness
enlarged, visible blood vessels
soreness
sharp pain
eyelid swelling
blurred vision
light sensitivity