Excessive Tearing

Eyes that continually water may be making too many tears or can have damage to the lacrimal drainage system, the part of the eye that is responsible for collecting and draining tears. Normally, our eyes have a baseline level of moisture and tear when we cry or when we are exposed to certain smells (like onions) or irritations (like wind & allergies). However, the ducts that make up the lacrimal drainage system can sometimes become blocked. This may be caused by an injury, infection or most commonly in females, aging. Most commonly this only manifests as tearing but an infection can also result. Evaluation of chronic tearing should include evaluation of the tear drain.