Why do dry eyes water​?

It may sound strange, but dry eyes often water a lot.
Many people feel confused when this happens. They ask:

“If my eyes are dry, why are they watering?”

This is a very common question at My Eye Clinic in Gosforth.
The answer is simple: watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye.

In this blog, we explain why dry eyes water, what signs to look for, and what you can do to feel more comfortable.

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes happen when:

• Your eyes do not make enough tears, or
• Your tears dry out too fast, or
• Your tears are not good quality

Healthy tears keep your eyes:

• Wet
• Smooth
• Clear
• Protected

When your eyes do not have the right tears, they become irritated.

Why do dry eyes water?

When your eyes are dry, your body tries to protect them.
This causes a reflex response.

Here’s what happens:

1. The eye surface becomes dry and irritated

The surface of your eye sends a signal to your brain.

2. The brain thinks your eye needs help

Your brain tells the tear glands to make more tears.

3. The eyes release a rush of watery tears

These tears are made fast and in large amounts.

4. The tears spill over

These watery tears do not stay on the eye.
They run down your cheeks instead.

This is called reflex tearing.

Why watery tears don’t fix dry eyes

The watery tears your eyes make during reflex tearing are not the same as healthy tears.

Healthy tears have:

• Water
• Oil
• Mucus

Reflex tears are mostly water.
They:

• Do not have enough oil
• Evaporate quickly
• Do not stay on the eye
• Do not protect the eye surface

This means your eyes can feel dry and watery at the same time.

Common signs of dry eyes that water

You may have dry eye if your eyes:

• Water often
• Feel gritty
• Burn or sting
• Feel sore
• Look red
• Feel tired
• Blur on and off
• Feel worse in wind or cold air
• Water more outdoors
• Water when using screens

Many people think watery eyes mean allergies, but dryness is often the cause.

Why do dry eyes water more outside?

Wind, cold air, and bright light can irritate dry eyes.
This triggers reflex tearing.

Outside, your eyes may:

• Water more
• Feel sore
• Feel sensitive to light

This is very common in dry eye patients.

Why do dry eyes water when using screens?

When you use screens, you blink less.
Less blinking means:

• Tears dry out faster
• The eye surface becomes irritated
• Reflex tearing starts

This can lead to watery eyes and blurry vision at the same time.

Why dry eyes water more as you get older

As we age:

• Tear production may drop
• Oil glands may block
• Tears evaporate faster

This makes dry eyes more likely.
The eyes then react by watering more often.

Other causes that can make dry eyes water

Dry eyes may be linked to:

• Blocked eyelid oil glands
• Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)
• Hormone changes
• Contact lens wear
• Certain medications
• Dry air
• Air conditioning
• Heating

All of these can affect tear quality and trigger watery eyes.

How to stop dry eyes from watering

The key is to treat the dryness, not just the watering.

Here’s what can help:

1. Use preservative-free eye drops

Lubricating drops help:

• Smooth the eye surface
• Reduce irritation
• Lower reflex tearing

Gel drops may help at night.

2. Blink more often

Blinking spreads tears evenly.
Try to blink fully and gently.

3. Take screen breaks

Use the 20-20-20 rule:

• Every 20 minutes
• Look 20 feet away
• For 20 seconds

4. Use warm compresses

Warm compresses help:

• Open blocked oil glands
• Improve tear quality
• Reduce irritation

5. Clean your eyelids

Lid cleaning removes debris and bacteria.
This supports healthier tears.

6. Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water helps your body make tears.

7. Protect your eyes outdoors

Wearing wraparound sunglasses can:

• Block wind
• Reduce watering
• Protect your eyes

When watery eyes need professional care

You should book an eye exam if:

• Your eyes water every day
• Eye drops do not help
• Your eyes feel sore or painful
• Your vision is blurry
• Your eyes look red
• Your symptoms are getting worse

At My Eye Clinic, we look beyond watery eyes to find the real cause.

Dry eye treatments at My Eye Clinic in Gosforth

We offer advanced dry eye care, including:

IPL Therapy

Light treatment that reduces inflammation and improves tear quality.

BlephEx®

A deep clean for your eyelids.

Prescription eye drops

Used to calm inflammation and support tear health.

These treatments help improve tear quality so your eyes stay comfortable without watering.

Why a dry eye assessment helps

A dry eye assessment checks:

• Tear quality
• Tear stability
• Eyelid gland health
• Inflammation
• Eye surface damage

This helps us create a plan made just for your eyes.

Take our dry eye suitability self-test

Not sure if dry eyes are causing your watery eyes?
Take our quick and simple dry eye suitability self-test to see if you may benefit from a dry eye assessment.

Take the test now.