Symptoms
Eye tearing is characterized by watery eyes or tear tearing (epiphora), the “overflow” of tears that run down the cheeks.
Causes
1. reflexive increased tear secretion:
- Dry eyes are a common cause, leading to increased production of lacrimal fluid. For detailed information, see Dry eyes.
- Numerous eye diseases, such as inflammation of the eyelid margin, conjunctivitis (infection, allergy), hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis.
- Foreign bodies, eye irritation, eyelash rubbing, cold, injury, UV radiation (snow blindness).
- Gustatory epiphora, eye tears when eating.
2. impaired tear drainage:
- Obstruction or inflammation of the tear ducts
- Congenital disorders (congenital epiphora).
- Age-related disorders, e.g., outward tilting of the eyelid (ectropion).
3. other causes: systemic diseases (eg, Wegener’s granulomatosis), drugs, tumors, infectious diseases.
Treatment
Following the cause in ophthalmologic treatment. Tear substitutes are often used for dry eyes.
