We blink thousands of times a day. Each time we blink a small gland, the lacrimal gland, pushes a tiny amount of tears across the front of our eye to keep it moist. The tears flow into a channel called the canaluculi into the tear sac. From here, the tears flow down the tear duct into your nose. Watering eyes, or epiphora, happens when the tears are produced without obvious cause and they don’t properly drain away. They’re right there on your face, and you look like you’re crying.

Watering eyes can affect anyone, at any age, although they are more common in older people above the age of 60, and young babies. Your watering eyes could be caused by a number of different conditions. Why do we sometimes make too many tears? We’ve looked at the reasons for watering eyes and the latest scientific evidence about remedies for this annoying condition.

Watering eye symptoms
Watery eyes are characterised by an excess of tears, which can give the eyes a glassy look, and may result in tears running or dripping from the eyes. Some excessive tear production is natural in cold or windy environments, or if a foreign body gets into the eye. However, excessive and constant watering is not normal, and may occur for a number of reasons.

Treatments for watery eyes
In the case of excessive tear production, watery eyes can often be treated very simply, with eye drops, warm compresses or sometimes medication. Treatment for tear drainage problems is usually surgical, but there’s no need to worry, as most surgical treatments are quick and highly effective.