Watering eyes, also known as epiphora, can be caused by excessive tear production, lacrimal outflow stenosis, or obstruction. There are several different causes.
The symptoms of watering eyes can vary depending on the cause, with the common one being the production of too many tears that the tear drainage system cannot handle. This causes tears to overflow and run down the face. Other symptoms may include increased sensitivity to light, redness, and eye soreness.
Blocked tear ducts (a blockage of the lacrimal outflow) can prevent the tears from draining away normally down the tear ducts into the nose, leading to runny eyes. Or, in more severe cases, it can lead to watery, sticky eyes if there is excess mucous production from within the lacrimal sac. Adults and children can suffer from blocked tear ducts. There can also be a swelling at the corner of the eye close to the nose if the lacrimal sac (part of the tear drainage) is expanded with mucous, called a mucocele.