How can I treat my watery eyes?

Treatment for watery eyes depends on the cause. If dry eye syndrome (decline in tear production) is causing excessive reflexive tearing, then the solution is to remedy the dry eyes. When an infection is responsible, your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics.

If the problem is an obstruction in the drainage system, then surgery may help. If the obstruction occurs in the part of the eyelid where the drainage system begins (the punctum), a procedure known as punctoplasty is performed to widen the opening. Punctoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes 20 to 30 minutes. If the obstruction occurs in the nasolacrimal duct, located further along the drainage system, then a dacryocystorhinostomy may be performed. This procedure, which involves bypassing the blockage and constructing a new drainage pathway, typically is performed under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. If eyelid problems have developed, the eyelids can be repositioned surgically to alleviate watery eyes.