Your eyes are watery because either your eyes are producing too many tears, or the tears aren't draining properly.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Overproduction of Tears:
- Irritation: Your eyes might be reacting to irritants such as:
- Allergies: Pollen, dust mites, pet dander can trigger excessive tear production.
- Environmental Factors: Wind, smoke, pollution, and dry air can irritate your eyes.
- Foreign Objects: Even a tiny speck of dust or an eyelash can cause watering.
- Infection: Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) is an infection that often causes watery eyes, along with redness and discharge.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Paradoxically, dry eyes can cause watery eyes. When your eyes are dry, your body may overcompensate by producing a flood of tears to lubricate them.
- Eyelid Problems: Conditions like entropion (inward turning of the eyelid) or ectropion (outward turning of the eyelid) can irritate the eye and disrupt tear drainage.
2. Blocked Tear Ducts:
Your tears drain through small ducts located in the inner corners of your eyelids (near your nose). If these ducts are blocked, tears will overflow.
- Causes of Blocked Tear Ducts:
- Congenital Blockage: Some babies are born with blocked tear ducts.
- Infection: Infections in the tear duct system can cause swelling and blockage.
- Injury: Trauma to the nose or eye area can damage tear ducts.
- Tumors: Rarely, a tumor can block a tear duct.
- Narrowing: The tear ducts can narrow with age.
Here's a summary in table format:
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Overproduction of Tears | Eyes produce more tears than normal due to irritation or other conditions. |
| Blocked Tear Ducts | Tears cannot drain properly through the tear ducts. |
| Allergies | Irritation from allergens causes excessive tear production. |
| Dry Eye Syndrome | Eyes overcompensate for dryness by producing too many tears. |
| Environmental Irritants | Wind, smoke, pollution, etc., irritate the eyes. |
| Infection (Conjunctivitis) | Infection causes inflammation and watery eyes. |
If your watery eyes persist or are accompanied by pain, redness, blurred vision, or other concerning symptoms, consult an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) for proper diagnosis and treatment. They can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate solutions.
