One eye watering, specifically the left eye in this case, can stem from several causes. It's often a sign that your tear drainage system isn't functioning correctly or that your eye is irritated.
Potential Causes of Unilateral Watering Eyes:
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Blocked Tear Ducts: In adults and older children, the tear ducts (small tubes draining tears) might be blocked or abnormally narrow. This narrowing can be due to inflammation or scarring, leading to excess tear production that the duct can't handle. This is a common reason for watering in one or both eyes, sometimes accompanied by blurred vision. [Reference: Medical News Today, Cleveland Clinic]
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Eye Irritation or Infection: Inflammation or infection, like conjunctivitis (pink eye), can cause increased tear production in one eye. Even a small irritant like a speck of dust or an allergic reaction to cosmetics (as in the Reddit example of eye makeup causing watering) can trigger excess tear production in a single eye. [References: Ohio State University, WebMD, Reddit]
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Dry Eye Syndrome: Paradoxically, dry eye syndrome can lead to excessive tearing. When the eyes lack sufficient lubrication, the body tries to compensate by producing more tears, sometimes disproportionately affecting one eye. [References: Healthline, WebMD]
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Eyelid Issues: A drooping eyelid (ptosis) can prevent proper tear drainage, causing one eye to water. [Reference: NHS]
Determining the Cause:
To pinpoint the cause, consider these factors:
- Recent onset: Did the watering start suddenly? This could indicate an infection or irritant.
- Associated symptoms: Are there other symptoms like redness, itching, burning, or blurry vision?
- Eye makeup use: Does the watering happen mainly after applying eye makeup?
- Allergies: Do you have known allergies that might affect your eyes?
It is important to consult an ophthalmologist or optometrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if the watering is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms. They can assess the condition and rule out more serious underlying issues. Self-treating can be risky.
