Many of us experience itchy, watery eyes at certain times of the year. In the Ottawa region, the dry winter air, cold, harsh winds, and seasonal allergies are the most common culprits, but your eyes can tear up for other reasons as well. If your eyes won’t stop watering and the symptoms aren’t related to seasonal allergies, it’s important to find out what’s causing them. Identifying the underlying cause matters because ongoing tearing isn’t just uncomfortable. Left unaddressed, it can point to issues that affect long-term eye health and daily comfort.

Understanding How Tears Work

Tears do more than show emotion. Your eyes constantly produce a thin tear film that lubricates, protects, and nourishes the surface of the eye. Excess tears normally drain through small ducts in the inner corner of the eyelids. Watery eyes happen when there’s either too much tear production or a problem with drainage. These are very different issues and require different treatments, which is why proper evaluation is important.

Common Causes of Watery Eyes

1. Physical Irritation & Surface Issues

When physically irritated, the eye quickly responds by producing additional tears to protect itself. Common causes of irritation-induced watery eyes include:

  • Foreign objects. Eyelashes are designed to prevent foreign objects from getting into your eye. However, they are not fail-proof. When something gets into your eye – a piece of lint or dust – your eyes will respond by making more tears in an attempt to wash away that debris. 
  • Ingrown eyelashes. If an ingrown eyelash grows in the direction of the eye, it can irritate it and the surrounding area. Misdirected lashes can rub against the eye and cause discomfort that leads to itchy and watery eyes. 
  • Scratches. Injury to the eye can also produce more tears. Small scratches on the lid or cornea can be painful, resulting in excessive watering of the eyes as the body tries to heal itself. Most scratches will heal in a day or two, but if your cornea has been scratched, you should talk to an eye doctor who can offer treatment. 

Many times, removing the irritant and using moisturizing eye drops will solve the problem. However, eye irritation that doesn’t improve within a day or two should be checked by an eye doctor.

Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers

  • Irritants. We all know what happens when we cut an onion – our eyes get irritated and start to water. Other chemical irritants can have the same effect. Candles, aerosols, cleaning products, and car fumes can aggravate our eyes and cause them to tear up to clear the irritants away.
  • Screen use. Prolonged screen use reduces blinking, which allows tears to evaporate too quickly. To compensate for this, your eyes may start producing more tears.
  • Allergies. Pollen, mould, and pet dander can flare up allergies and cause your eyes to water. Eye drops can often help, but in some cases, you might need medication to relieve the symptoms. 

Contact Lens-Related Causes

  • Damaged contacts. Ripped and torn contact lenses cause irritated and watery eyes, too.  Any damaged lenses should be thrown away and replaced with new ones to prevent irritation, pain, and infection. 
  • Poor lens hygiene. Poor lens hygiene or overwearing lenses can also irritate the eye surface. 

Contact lens wearers should stop wearing lenses if symptoms persist and book an eye exam to prevent infection or injury.

Dry Eye: A Commonly Misunderstood Cause

Dry eye is one of the most common reasons for watery eyes. It’s a common condition that results from either insufficient tear production or tears that evaporate too quickly. This can happen when they dry up too fast, if you forget to blink, or if you don’t have enough natural lubrication. If you have dry eyes, they can sting and become irritated. 

Your body’s response to the irritation is to produce more tears, which can often result in watery eyes. However, these excessive tears don’t provide adequate lubrication, creating an uncomfortable cycle of dryness and tearing. The good news is that dry eye is a very common and treatable condition once properly diagnosed.

When Watery Eyes Signal Something More

  • Infection. An eye infection like conjunctivitis, known as pink eye, can cause itchy, red, watery eyes. If your pink eye doesn’t clear up in a few days, it’s important to see your eye doctor. One type of pink eye can cause serious vision issues if left untreated. 
  • Blocked tear ducts and inflammation. A tear duct blockage will not only cause your eyes to water, but it can also prevent your tears from draining properly. Oftentimes, blockages are caused by inflammation or scarring; however, they can also be caused by eye conditions that prevent proper drainage from occurring. 
  • Medical conditions and medication side effects. Many medical conditions can cause watery eyes to form, including diabetes, thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and lupus. Certain medical treatments can also accentuate the issue. Chemotherapy drugs and epinephrine are two common medications that can cause persistent tear production as well. 

If you suspect any of these conditions, it is safer to seek professional assessment rather than attempting to self-diagnose.

When to See an Eye Doctor

If watery eyes last more than a few days, worsen, or are accompanied by pain, redness, discharge, blurred vision, or affect one eye more than the other, it’s time to seek care. Early assessment helps prevent complications and ensures the right treatment.

How Laurier Optical Can Help

Comprehensive eye exams at Laurier Optical go beyond vision checks. Our optometrists identify the underlying cause of watery eyes and recommend personalized solutions, from dry eye treatment to infection care or contact lens adjustments. Book your appointment at Laurier Optical today, and one of our optometrists will examine your eyes and look for any underlying conditions.