What causes my eyes to water?

Overproduction of tears or lack of tear drainage can make our eyes tear excessively. Ophthalmologist David Demartini, MD, explains.

Transcript

00:00

Our eyes water because there is either overproduction of tears or there is lack of drainage

00:09

of the normal production of tears. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:25

If there's overproduction of tears, it usually means there's some sort of stimulation to the eyes

00:31

that makes the eyes tear.

00:37

We've all had the experience of being around strong smells such as onion or even some perfumes.

00:47

And it can be so strong that the eyes will tear excessively. Out in the wind or in the cold, the eye

00:55

protects itself by tearing more.

01:03

But it's a protective mechanism that's needed in order to keep the eyes from being burned or irritated by some of these noxious stimulants.

01:13

[MUSIC PLAYING]