Watery Eyes

Also known as: watery eyes

What are watery eyes?

If a baby has watery eyes, it’s often due to blocked tear ducts. As the child gets older, however, persistent watery eyes can have a number of different potential causes, ranging from mild to severe.
 

What might cause watery eyes?

Potential causes of watery eyes include:

• Blocked tear ducts
• Excess tear production
• Allergies
• Blepharitis
• Common colds
• Corneal abrasion
• Dry eyes
• Foreign object in the eye
• Ingrown eyelash
• Pink eye
• Sty
• Tear duct infection
• Trachoma
• Chemotherapy
• Epinephrine
• Some eyedrop medication

How can it be treated?

Depending on the cause of watery eyes, eye drops, allergy medications, antibiotics or a warm wet towel placed over the eyes can all help to relieve watery eyes.  

When should you seek medical attention?

If watery eyes are accompanied by eye pain, reduced vision or the feeling of something in the eye, seek medical attention.

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Reviewed by: Luxme Hariharan, MD

This page was last updated on: 9/16/2025 12:51:27 PM