Watery Eyes

What Is Epiphora?

Epiphora, or watery eyes, is a condition that may seem simple but makes daily life difficult. The most important symptom of a watery eye is blurred vision. Just as we cannot see clearly when we open our eyes underwater, it is not possible to see clearly with a watery eye. In addition, it can cause symptoms such as eyelashes sticking together, discharge, and redness of the eye.

What Are the Causes of Epiphora?

This condition, which makes daily life difficult, has two underlying mechanisms: either the eye waters because too much tear fluid is being produced, or there is a blockage in tear drainage. Many conditions can cause watery eyes, including infections, allergic reactions, a foreign body in the eye, eyelid disorders, congenital glaucoma, and congenital or acquired blockage of the tear duct. In newborn babies in particular, the most common cause of watery eyes is congenital blockage of the tear duct.

How Is Epiphora Treated?

First, the cause of the watery eyes must be determined by your physician. If a foreign body has entered your eye, it must be removed; if there is an infectious or allergic condition, it must be treated; and if an eyelash is in contact with the surface of the eye, it must be removed. If there is a duct blockage, the appropriate surgical method must be determined and the operation planned.

Congenital Tear Duct Blockage

This condition appears in the first weeks after birth as excessive watering and discharge in one or both of a baby's eyes, due to blockage at the lower end of the tear duct. In the early period, most blockages can be opened with proper massage over the tear sac. For blockages that have not opened by one year of age, the only treatment is probing. In probing, thin wire probes designed for this purpose are inserted into the tear duct to open the blockage in the lower duct. This procedure is 95% successful. If it is unsuccessful, it can be repeated; if it fails again, a silicone tube is temporarily placed in the tear duct to keep it open.

Tear Duct Blockage in Adults

The cause of this blockage in adults is usually not known. It is common in women. On the affected side, in addition to watering and discharge, swelling and redness are seen at the lower inner corner of the eye. In these patients, antibiotic drops will only prevent discharge. Surgery is the only treatment option. The blockage is relieved by creating a new drainage channel from the tear sac to the nose. This surgery can be performed either through a skin incision (external dacryocystorhinostomy) or endoscopically through the nose.

Having your surgery performed by a physician experienced in oculoplastic surgery will help ensure a more successful outcome.