Why Your Eyes Water & How to Make Them Stop

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Medically-approved ways get rid of watering eyes for good

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Medically reviewed by Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH

Last Updated: April 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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Soothing Irritated Eyes

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When to See a Doctor

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Precautions

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Video

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Tips

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Warnings

Watery, irritated eyes can be extremely irritating and can happen from a number of possibilities, like allergies, a foreign object, or a bacterial infection like pink eye. No matter the cause, getting relief fast is a priority. In this article, we’ll teach you simple at-home treatments to soothe your irritated eyes and how to know if you need medical attention.

Things You Should Know

Use eye drops or artificial tears if your eyes are watering because they are dry.
Place a warm compress over your eyes if they’re irritated, swollen, or itchy.
Take an antihistamine medication if you’re experiencing watery and itchy eyes from seasonal allergies.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Soothing Irritated Eyes

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1
Flush your eye gently with water if a foreign object or debris is in it.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH
Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.} If you have something stuck in your eye, it may be causing your eye to water. Hold your eye open under a gentle stream of lukewarm water in the shower, a running sink tap, or an eyewash station.^{[2]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Avoid pulling a foreign object out of your eye with your fingers or tweezers.
- Seek medical attention if you're certain there's something in your eye, and flushing it with water doesn’t bring relief.
- Don’t rub the inner or outer corners of your eyes if you think you have something stuck in them, as this could damage them.^{[3]
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  Mayo Clinic
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2
Use eye drops or artificial tears if you have dry eyes. Believe it or not, dryness can cause your eyes to water more than usual. Eye drops moisten and lubricate the eyes, which may decrease the production of tears.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH
Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.} Tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid with your fingertip. Hold the eye drop bottle 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) away from your eyes. Squeeze the bottle to dispense an eye drop and repeat 2 to 3 times.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Don’t let the bottle’s tip touch your eyes.
- Follow the manufacturer’s or your doctor’s instructions for how often to use eye drops.
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3
Take out your contact lenses if you wear them. If you’re wearing contact lenses and your eyes are watering, try removing your contact lenses. Contacts can make watery eyes worse and prevent eye drops from working. Talk to your ophthalmologist if you think your contacts might be to blame for your watery eyes.^{[6]
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- Follow your eye doctor’s instructions to clean your contact lenses.
- If you use disposable contact lenses, never wear them more than once. Always dispose of them after use.
- Never sleep with your contact lenses unless your eye doctor says it’s okay.
- Avoid wearing your contact lenses when swimming or showering.
4
Make a warm compress to soothe irritated or swollen eyes. Wash your face and remove any makeup you have on. Hold a clean washcloth under warm water, soak it, and then squeeze the excess water out. Lie down or recline in a chair and lay the washcloth over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.^{[7]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Repeat 3 to 4 times per day.
- Warm compresses help remove crust from the eyes while loosening anything blocking your tear ducts. They also help reduce redness and irritation.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

When to See a Doctor

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1
Talk to your doctor about antihistamines for allergies. Taking an antihistamine or allergy pill can help to reduce eye irritation caused by allergies.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH
Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.} Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you’re unsure whether your watery eyes are from allergies, as they can prescribe you an antihistamine to help.^{[9]
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Research source}
- The most common antihistamine drug is the capsule form of diphenhydramine. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take this medication.^{[10]
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2
Ask your doctor about antibiotics for a bacterial eye infection. If you see a doctor about your watery eyes, they may prescribe an antibiotic if they suspect that you have a bacterial eye infection. Bacterial infections respond well to antibiotics; however, if a virus causes your watery eye, the doctor might not prescribe medication and will ask you to wait to see whether your condition improves.^{[11]
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- The most common antibiotic prescribed for watery eyes is tobramycin. Use the medication as directed by your doctor. Usually, this means applying 1 drop on the affected eye twice a day for 7 days.^{[12]
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- Thick discharge is a common symptom of a bacterial eye infection, while a mucus-like discharge may indicate a viral eye infection.^{[13]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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3
Check to see if the medications you’re taking cause watery eyes. Some medications can cause watery eyes as a side effect. Look at the labels of your prescription medications. If watery eyes are a lasting side effect of a medication you need, talk to your doctor about possible solutions or remedies. Don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor first.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Common types of medicine that may cause watery eyes include:
  - Epinephrine
  - Chemotherapy drugs
  - Cholinergic agonists
  - Eye drops, such as echothiophate iodide and pilocarpine
4
Discuss other possible causes of watery eyes with your doctor.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH
Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.} A wide variety of medical conditions can cause watery eyes. If you haven’t been able to determine the cause of your symptoms, ask your doctor for help. Having unexplained or worsening symptoms could be the sign of a more serious condition.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Watery eyes may be a symptom of:
  - Allergic conjunctivitis
  - Allergic rhinitis
  - Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)
  - Blocked tear duct
  - Tear duct infection
  - Ingrown eyelashes
  - Pink eye
  - Hay fever
  - Stye
  - Common cold
- Contact a doctor immediately if you also have one or more of these symptoms:
  - Vision loss
  - Discharge or bleeding from the eye
  - Swelling
  - Unexplained bruising
  - Tenderness around the eye and nose
  - Severe headache
5
Talk to your doctor about procedures to treat blocked tear ducts. If you’re having frequent problems with watery eyes due to plugged tear ducts, you may need an irrigation, intubation, or surgical procedure to clear the blockage. These options are only necessary if other blockage-clearing methods don’t work in chronic conditions. Some options may include:^{[17]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Punctal dilation: If tears cannot properly drain through the tear duct openings, punctal dilation may be done. The ophthalmologist will apply local anesthesia on the affected eye. An instrument will widen the opening of the tear duct so that tears can drain properly.^{[18]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Stenting or intubation: In this procedure, the doctor threads a piece of thin tubing through one or both tear ducts. The tubing widens the opening of the tear ducts, making it easier for tears to drain. The tubes stay in for about 3 months. This procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia.^{[19]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR): DCR is a surgical procedure that may be required if a less invasive method doesn’t work. DCR creates a new channel for tears to drain through. The surgeon uses the existing tear sac in the nose to create the channel. This procedure requires local or general anesthesia.^{[20]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Protecting Your Eyes

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Make sure you wear goggles or protective eyewear when working with chemicals, power tools, or airborne particulates (such as sawdust). These materials can become lodged in your eyes and cause your eyes to water. Wearing goggles will also help protect your eyes from large or small objects that might hit your eye and cause damage.^{[21]
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Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. Sunglasses shield your eyes from harsh UV rays that can cause your eyes to water while also acting as a shield against particles and other debris. Always wear sunglasses when you go outside, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun’s rays are the brightest.^{[22]
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- Double your protection by also wearing a hat. The more you shield your eyes from the sun, the less likely they’ll water.
- Keep in mind that UV rays are still present on cloudy days, even if you can’t see the sun.
- Before putting on your sunglasses, wipe off any dust that might have collected on them.
3
Run an air purifier in your home to reduce environmental irritants. An air purifier can help filter out dust and other eye irritants in the air. Try keeping an air purifier in a central area of your home and running it during the day, or placing an air purifier in your bedroom and running it at night.^{[23]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If you suffer from dust and pet dander allergies, this may improve your symptoms.
4
Remove or avoid using eye makeup when your eyes water. Eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara can irritate your eyes, especially if you’re prone to allergies or watery eyes. Try to avoid putting makeup on your eyes to soothe irritation, or remove it immediately at the end of the day with a gentle cleanser.^{[24]
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Research source}
- Make sure to take off all of your makeup at the end of the day, as sleeping in makeup could lead to irritated and swollen eyes in the morning.
- Avoid using and sharing makeup products or other personal items that have touched yours or someone else’s eyes.

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Tips

Take care when disposing of tissues or washcloths you’ve used to wipe your eyes. If you have a bacterial or viral infection, it could spread to someone else if they come in contact with your tissue or washcloth.^{[25]
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Warnings

If your watery eyes persist, see a doctor. You may have a viral or bacterial infection.

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Don’t use perfumes, hair sprays, and other scented aerosol products. These can cause your eyes to water.

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Avoid activities that require good vision, like driving, until your eyes stop watering. Having watery eyes can make vision-oriented activities difficult or even dangerous.

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