Watering Eye

Watering eyes are also called as epiphora, and this condition is very commonly found among aged people, above around 60 years of age. It is also common in babies who are between 0 to 12 months old. Epiphora can occur in either a single eye or both the eyes as well.

There is a gland in the eyes known as the lachrymal glands, which functions as the producer of tears, which spread across the eye when one blinks. The eyes require this liquid to retain them as moist and feel comfortable. When the glands produce excess of the tears, they flow out of the eye via small channels into a sac called the tear sac. From there it moves to the nose down via a tear duct. This entire process is the watering eye condition.

Causes of watering eye

The eyes give out extra tears from the lachrymal glands when there is any irritating sensation or particle lodged in the eyes. This is to help in washing out the irritant. Irritant here can include infection like conjunctivitis, scratches, pieces of dirt or grit, fumes, or an eyelash that goes inwards into the eye.

Generally the cause for a watering eye will be due to the tear duct becoming narrow or even getting blocked by inflammation. In such cases, the tears will be retained inside the tear sac and can cause infections. It leaves a sticky structure and might even create a swelling on the side of the nose towards the eye.

A watering eyelid may also occur due to the bottom eyelid moving away from the eye turning towards the outside. This condition is known as ectropion, and the tears will not be able to flow out clearly in this case.

Lastly, this condition can be caused due to a lipid content or fat-like structure in the tears, making it unable to spread out inside the eyes. This causes a dry feeling in the eye and also sore patches.

Diagnosing watering eye

Watering eyes can be very easily diagnosed by the doctor by just looking at the eyes, and noticing the tears flowing down the tear ducts. Like if one has an infection or watering is caused due to an eyelash. If in case it is not visible externally, then an eye specialist is advised who conducts tests to find watering eyes. The specialist puts the person under a local anaesthetic to check for blockages. In extreme cases a dye may be injected inside the tear duct and then an x-ray is taken.

Treating watering eye

The treatment for this condition depends upon the reason for the condition. In some situations, the watering is very slight and does not need any kind of treatment at all. In the case of babies, the condition clears by itself after a while.

If the watering is caused by eyelashes growing inwards or by dirt or grit in the eyes, then they cause infections. These are treated by giving eye drops. In certain cases the turned eyelash can be corrected through a minor operation.