Why Do My Eyes Water If I Have Dry Eye?

It can feel confusing when your eyes won’t stop watering, yet you’ve been told you have dry eye. Shouldn’t dry eye mean less tears, not more? The truth is, watery eyes are actually a very common sign of dry eye, and it all comes down to how your eyes react when they’re irritated.
 

The Link Between Dry Eye and Excessive Tearing

When the eyes are too dry, the surface becomes irritated. Your body interprets this irritation as a signal that your eyes need more lubrication. In response, your tear glands go into overdrive, producing a sudden flood of tears.

Unfortunately, these tears are often of poor quality. Instead of being the healthy, balanced tears that provide lasting comfort, they tend to be watery and lack the oils and mucus necessary to coat the eye properly. As a result, the tears don’t stay on the eye’s surface and instead spill over, leading to watery eyes.
 

Types of Tears and Their Role

Your eyes actually produce different types of tears:

• Basal tears: Keep the eyes consistently lubricated.

• Reflex tears: Produced in response to irritation, dryness, or allergens.

• Emotional tears: Triggered by strong feelings.

In dry eye disease, reflex tears are the ones that show up. They overwhelm the eye in quantity but fail to solve the underlying problem of poor tear quality.
 

Other Factors That Contribute to Watery Eyes

Aside from reflex tearing, dry eye sufferers may experience excessive watering due to:

• Blocked meibomian glands: These glands produce oils that prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. If they’re clogged, tears evaporate faster, causing irritation and reflex tearing.

• Inflammation: Chronic irritation of the eye surface can keep triggering tear production.

• Environmental triggers: Wind, smoke, or air conditioning may worsen dry eye symptoms and provoke more tearing.
 

Managing Dry Eye and Excessive Watering

If your eyes are watering because of dry eye, the most effective solution is to treat the root cause - not just the symptoms. At Fresh Pond Eye Care, we focus on a comprehensive approach to care.

 One option may include specialized eye drops designed to improve the quality of your tears, giving your eyes the lasting hydration they need. In some cases, in-office treatments are recommended to unclog the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly.

We also work with patients on simple lifestyle and environmental adjustments that can make a big difference, such as reducing screen time, using a humidifier, or protecting the eyes from wind and irritants. Together, these strategies help restore comfort and keep your eyes healthier in the long run.
 

Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation in Ridgewood Today

Watery eyes don’t always mean your eyes are healthy - sometimes, they’re a sign that your eyes are struggling to stay hydrated. If you’re experiencing this frustrating cycle of dryness and excessive tearing, it’s important to get a professional evaluation to find the right solution.

At Fresh Pond Eye Care, Dr. Wu can diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eye and recommend personalized treatment options to bring you lasting relief. Contact our office in Ridgewood, New York, by calling (646) 481-8579 or Click here to get in touch with us today.