Have you ever had water running from your eyes when you weren’t crying and nothing was making you sad? In medical terms, this condition is called epiphora. In everyday language, think of it as watery eyes. With epiphora, your eyes produce more tears than they should, and there’s no emotional reason behind it.
Many people brush this problem off as minor. Others get worried and wonder what is wrong with their eyes. In this article, we’ll explain in simple words what this problem is, why it happens, who is more likely to get it, and how it’s treated.
Important Pinpoints
- Epiphora means excessive watering of the eyes with no emotional cause.
- It happens either because too many tears are produced or because the tears don’t drain properly.
- The most common cause is a blocked tear duct.
- Dry eye, allergies, conjunctivitis, infections, eyelid problems, something getting in the eye, and nose or sinus problems can also be causes.
- Babies under 12 months and adults over 60 are affected more often.
- In newborns, it often clears up on its own.
- Treatment depends on the cause.
- See an eye specialist if the problem lasts a long time, or if you have pain, redness, or vision loss.
What Is Epiphora?
Epiphora is a condition in which your eyes water more than they should. You may be sitting comfortably, going about your day, when tears suddenly run down your cheeks. You aren’t sad, and you aren’t going through an emotional moment, yet your eyes keep watering.
In everyday language, people call this watery eyes. It’s important to understand the difference. Tears running while you cry is completely normal, but tears running with no emotional reason is a different problem.
Why Are Tears Important for Your Eyes?
Making tears is a normal function of your eyes. Tears keep your eyes clean and moist. Without them, your eyes would dry out.
So think of tears as a friend, not an enemy. Your eyes make small amounts of tears all the time, and this system works quietly in the background. The problem starts when tears go beyond their normal limit and begin running down your face.
Why Do the Eyes Water Too Much?
There are two basic reasons for this problem.
First reason: too many tears. Sometimes the eye makes more tears than it needs. When there are so many that the drainage system can’t handle them, they spill over and run down.
Second reason: poor drainage. Sometimes the eye makes a normal amount of tears, but the path for getting rid of them isn’t working properly. In this case, tears build up in the eye and then run onto the cheek.
Here’s a simple example. If a faucet is open too wide, or the drain is blocked, water spills out either way. The eye’s system works the same way.
Causes of Epiphora
There are quite a few causes. Let’s go through them one by one.
Blocked Tear Duct
The most common cause is a blocked tear duct. The tear duct is the pathway through which tears drain. When this pathway is blocked, tears can’t move forward and begin running down your face. This problem is seen more often in children and older adults.
Dry Eye
It may sound surprising, but dry eye can also make your eyes water. When the eye is dry, the body starts making more tears as a reflex. So the eye can be dry and watery at the same time.
Allergies, Conjunctivitis, and Infections
With allergies, conjunctivitis, or any kind of infection, the eyes start to water. In these conditions, the eyes begin making more tears.
Eyelid Problems
Sometimes there’s a problem with the structure of the eyelids. In ectropion, the eyelid turns outward, while in entropion, the eyelid turns inward. In both cases, watery eyes can result.
Something in the Eye, Wind, Smoke, or Dust
If something gets in your eye, or if strong wind, smoke, or dust hits your eyes, tears are produced. In this situation, the eye makes more tears than usual.
Nose or Sinus Problems
Sometimes the problem isn’t in the eye at all. Nose or sinus problems can also cause watery eyes. So the cause is sometimes outside the eye.
Who Is More Likely to Get Epiphora?
Epiphora can happen to anyone, but it’s seen more often in babies under 12 months and adults over 60.
In newborns, it often goes away on its own. Even in mild cases, treatment is often not needed. In other words, watery eyes aren’t always a sign of a serious problem.
How Is Epiphora Treated?
Treatment for epiphora depends on the cause. Until the cause is known, the right treatment can’t be decided. That’s why understanding the cause comes first.
Warm Compress and Massage
In mild cases, a warm compress and tear sac massage can help.
Medication
If the cause is an allergy or an infection, the doctor prescribes medication. Medication helps reduce this problem of the eyes.
Probing or DCR Surgery
If the tear duct is blocked, the doctor may also perform probing or DCR surgery. These methods are used only in cases where there’s a problem with the duct.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If epiphora lasts a long time, don’t ignore it. See an eye specialist right away in these situations:
- Your eyes keep watering for a long time.
- You have pain in your eye.
- Your eye turns red.
- Your vision decreases.
Don’t wait. It can be a minor problem, and sometimes a sign of a bigger one.
Conclusion
Epiphora simply means excessive watering of the eyes with no emotional reason. The cause is either too many tears or poor drainage of tears. A blocked tear duct, dry eye, allergies, infections, eyelid problems, something getting in the eye, and nose or sinus problems are all possible causes.
Babies and older adults are affected more often. In newborns, it often clears up on its own. Treatment depends on the cause, so if the problem lasts a long time, or if you have pain, redness, or vision loss, be sure to see an eye specialist.
FAQs
- What is epiphora?
It’s a condition in which the eyes water more than they should, with no emotional reason behind it. In everyday language, it’s called watery eyes. - Do watery eyes always mean a disease?
No. In mild cases, treatment is often not needed. - What is the most common cause?
The most common cause is a blocked tear duct. - Can dry eye also cause watery eyes?
Yes. When the eye is dry, the body starts making more tears as a reflex. - Does this problem go away on its own in newborns?
Yes, in newborns it often goes away on its own. - What is the treatment?
Treatment depends on the cause. A warm compress, tear sac massage, medication for allergies or infections, and probing or DCR surgery for a blocked duct can all be used. - When should I see a doctor?
See an eye specialist if the problem lasts a long time, or if you have eye pain, redness, or vision loss.