Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Medical History

Medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of watery eye (epiphora).

Family history

  • What is the general health of your relatives?

Social history

  • What is your profession?
  • Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession?

Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • How long have you had watery eyes?
  • Do the tears drip onto your cheek? (= real epiphora)
  • Do the eyes tear on one or both sides?
  • What other symptoms have you noticed?
    • Itching?
    • Purulent rhinitis?
    • Runny nose or sneezing? (After contact with possible allergens?)
    • Nosebleed?
    • Pain, swelling, or redness near the inner corner of the eye?
    • Headache? (position-dependent?)
    • Nocturnal cough?

Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.

  • Do you drink alcohol? If so, what beverage(s) and how many glasses of each per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (eye disease; diabetes mellitus).
  • Surgery (eye, nasal or sinus surgery).
  • Radiotherapy
  • Vaccination status
  • Allergies

Medication history

  • Eye drops containing echothiophate, epinephrine or pilocarpine.
  • Medications that can lead to dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

Environmental history (including the subject of dry eyes and consequently reflex tears).

  • Work on the computer screen (screen work)
  • Intensive television
  • Car fan
  • Ozone, e.g. from copiers and printers
  • Irritating chemicals
  • Dry indoor air due tooverheated rooms, underfloor heating, air conditioning.
  • Insufficient or incorrect lighting
  • Environmental pollution (e.g. dust).
  • Cigarette smoke

* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Data without guarantee)