What are the Causes of Watery Eyes?

Watery eyes can be symptoms of problems, but in many cases they are the result of your body dealing with irritants in the eye. Tears lubricate your eyes and wash away foreign matter. Allergies frequently result in watery eyes. As each person begins to age, his or her eyes may also become drier and form tears more easily. Learn what the causes of watery eyes are and how they may be affecting you.

Common Causes

Your eyes will form tears naturally as a way to refresh and lubricate dry eyes. Dirt, eyelashes and other irritants are easily washed away with the help of tears. Blowing dust, wind, smoke and pollen also cause many people to have tearing.

It is not uncommon for people to experience tears when laughing, vomiting, yawning or feeling pain.

Infections/Injuries

Accidents involving the head or the eyes can result in tearing as well as making the eye swell or become inflamed and red. Extreme tearing, pain or injury after having an accident normally requires medical attention.

In some cases as a result of an accident, dirt can get into the eyes causing pain or an infection. To relieve the discomfort and treat the eyes an eyewash may be administered or in the case of infections antibiotics would be prescribed by a physician.

Infections of the eyelids and eyelashes can result in itching, redness and watery eyes.

Allergies

Many people may notice that they seem to have excessive tearing during certain seasons of the year. New plants growing in the yard or pollen carried in the wind during a change of seasons can affect many people with sinus attacks and unusually teary eyes. Some people find the appearance of a new cat or dog can trigger allergic reactions resulting in excessive tearing.