Watery Eyes (Epiphora) – Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Fresno
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Watery eyes, also called epiphora, happen when tears flow out of the eyes more than normal. Many people think watery eyes mean the eyes are producing too many tears, but most of the time the real problem is dry eye, clogged oil glands, or a blocked tear drainage system. Our dry eye clinic in Fresno uses advanced testing to find the exact cause and create a treatment plan that works.
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Common Causes of Watery Eyes
Watery eyes can happen for many reasons. The most common include:
• Dry eyes that trigger extra reflex tears
• Blocked tear ducts that prevent normal drainage
• Clogged meibomian glands that make tears evaporate too fast
• Allergies, smoke, wind, or dust
• Eyelids that turn in or out
• Infection or inflammation on the eye surface
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Symptoms of Watery Eyes
You may notice:
• Tears running down your cheeks
• Blurry vision from excess tears
• Burning or dryness
• Redness or itching
• Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
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How We Diagnose Watery Eyes
We use advanced dry eye testing to find out why your eyes are watering. Your visit may include:
• Meibography to check the health of your oil glands
• Tear film evaluation to see how stable your tears are
• Tear lake evaluation
• Eyelid function testing to see if the lids are affecting tear flow
These tests help us create a treatment plan that targets the exact cause.
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Treatments We Offer for Watery Eyes
Your treatment depends on what is causing the tearing. Our Fresno dry eye center offers:
• Tear duct irrigation to gently open blocked tear ducts
• IPL therapy to reduce inflammation and improve gland function
• LLLT (Light Therapy) to melt clogged oil glands and improve tear quality
• Warm compress therapy to improve oil flow
• Allergy-related treatments for irritation and seasonal tearing
• Prescription drops to reduce inflammation and improve comfort
Home Care Tips for Watery Eyes
Simple steps that may help include:
• Using warm compresses every day
• Avoiding smoke, wind, and strong air from fans
• Using preservative-free artificial tears
• Managing allergies if they are a trigger
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When to See a Specialist
Schedule an evaluation if:
• Your eyes water every day
• Tears blur your vision
• You feel dryness or burning along with tearing
• You think your tear ducts may be blocked
• Home treatments are not helping
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FAQ About Watery Eyes
Why are my eyes watering all the time?
Most watery eyes are caused by dry eye, clogged glands, or blocked tear drainage.
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Can dry eyes cause watery eyes?
Yes. When the eye surface becomes too dry, the eyes produce extra reflex tears.
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How do doctors treat watery eyes?
We use special testing to find the cause and treat it with tear duct irrigation, IPL, RF, LLLT, or other dry eye therapy.
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When should I see a doctor?
If tearing happens daily, affects your vision, or does not improve with home care.
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Schedule an Evaluation for Watery Eyes
If watery eyes are affecting your comfort or vision, we can help. Our clinic provides advanced testing and treatments for watery eyes, dry eye, and blocked tear ducts.
Book an appointment today.