WATERY EYE TREATMENT MELBOURNE

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC

Treatment aimed to identify and address the underlying cause while improving comfort, vision and eye health.

WATERY EYE TREATMENT MELBOURNE

A PATIENT’S GUIDE

Our ophthalmologists take the time to explain each diagnosis in clear, simple terms and discuss all available treatment options. We encourage questions, so you can make educated decisions about your eye care treatment with confidence.

All the specialists use cutting edge, proven technology and strive to provide you with high quality care.

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC
Learn more about watery eye causes, symptoms and treatments:

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find answers to common questions about lazy eye and squints including:

  • Why do my eyes constantly water?

  • Can dry eyes cause watery eyes?

  • Why is only one eye watering?

  • Are watery eye a serious condition?

  • Do watery eyes require surgery?

  • How much does surgery cost?

  • Can lazy watery eye return after treatment?

  • How long until I can undertake everyday activities after surgery?

WHAT IS WATERY EYE?

Watery Eye in Adults – Watery eyes in adults occur when the eyes produce too many tears or when tears cannot drain properly through the tear ducts. Common causes include dry eye syndrome, allergies, eyelid problems, infections, and blocked tear ducts. Persistent tearing may affect one or both eyes and can sometimes interfere with vision and daily activities.

Watery eye in children – Watery eyes in children are commonly caused by a blocked tear duct that has not fully opened after birth. This can lead to constant tearing, sticky eyelids, and discharge, particularly during the first year of life. Many cases improve naturally as the tear drainage system develops, although some children may require treatment if symptoms persist.

What causes watery eye problems

Watery eyes can occur when the eyes produce too many tears or when tears are unable to drain properly through the tear ducts. There are many possible causes, ranging from temporary irritation to underlying eye conditions.

Common causes of watery eyes include:

  • Dry eye syndrome – Dry eyes can trigger reflex tearing

  • Blocked tear ducts – Tears unable to drain

  • Allergies – Pollen and dust

  • Eye infections – Conditions such as conjunctivitis

  • Blepharitis – Inflammation of the eyelids

  • Eyelid problems – Disruption of tear drainage

  • Environmental irritants – Smoke, wind, dust, chlorine etc.

  • Foreign bodies or eye injuries

  • Styes or chalazions

  • Age-related changes

  • Medications

What are the symptoms of watery eye and how can they affect vision?

The most common symptom of watery eyes (epiphora) is excessive tearing or tears constantly overflowing from the eyes. Symptoms may affect one eye or both eyes, and can range from mild irritation to ongoing discomfort.

Symptoms may include:

  • Constant tearing

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision

  • Red or bloodshot eyes

  • Irritating, burning, stinging or gritty sensations

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Swelling around the eyes

  • Sticky discharge or crusting on the eyelids

How is watery eye/s diagnosed?

Watery eyes are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination to determine whether the problem is caused by excessive tear production, poor tear drainage, or an underlying eye condition.

Eye examinations to detect watery eye may include:

Diagnostic test Description
Orthoptic Examination: Assessment of visual acuity, stereo-vision, double-vision, ocular motility and size of eye-turn.
Slit Lamp Exam: A microscope examination to assess the general health of the eye and retina.
Cycloplegic Retinoscopy: Usually for children, cyclopentolate eye drops temporarily dilate the pupil and relax the eye’s focusing muscles, allowing a more accurate refraction measurement.
Additional Testing: Using the IOL Master to accurately measure the length of the eye in cases of short-sightedness..
cataract diagnosis

These tests help ensure an accurate diagnosis and help determine the safest and most effective treatment options available for your diagnosis.

Watery Eye Treatment Melbourne

If you have any questions about watery eye treatments, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

How is watery eye treated?

Watery Eye Treatments

Treatment for watery eyes (epiphora) depends on the underlying cause of the excessive tearing. In many cases, watery eyes can be successfully managed with eye drops, simple procedures or treatment of associated eye conditions. More persistent tear drainage problems may require surgical treatment.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Artificial Tears & Dry Eye Treatment – Lubricating eye drops or prescription dry eye treatments can improve tear quality and reduce reflex tearing caused by dry eye syndrome.

Allergy Management – Antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medications may help relieve watery eyes triggered by pollen, dust or other allergens.

Treatment for Infections – Eye infections such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis may be treated with antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Eyelid Hygiene – Warm compresses and gentle eyelid cleansing can help reduce inflammation and improve tear film function.

Environmental & Lifestyle Changes – Avoiding smoke, wind, dust and other irritants may help minimise watering and irritation.

Foreign Body Removal – Dust, debris or eyelashes trapped in the eye can be safely removed during an examination.

Tear Duct Massage in Infants – Gentle massage of the tear duct area may help open blocked tear ducts in babies.

Tear Duct Flushing and Probing – Some mild tear duct blockages can be treated by flushing the ducts with saline or gently opening them with a fine probe.

Surgical Treatments

Surgical treatment may be recommended when watery eyes are caused by significant tear duct blockage, eyelid abnormalities or persistent symptoms that do not improve with conservative treatment.

DCR Surgery (Dacryocystorhinostomy) – DCR surgery is commonly performed to treat blocked tear ducts. The procedure creates a new drainage pathway between the tear sac and the nasal cavity to restore normal tear drainage.

Eyelid Surgery – Surgery may be required to correct eyelid conditions such as:

  • Ectropion (outward turning eyelid)
  • Entropion (inward turning eyelid)
  • Correcting the eyelid position can improve tear drainage and reduce irritation.

Tear Duct Probing in Children – Infants and children with persistent blocked tear ducts may require a short procedure called probing to open the drainage pathway.

Repair of Eye or Tear Drainage Structures – In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair damaged or narrowed tear ducts or other structural problems affecting tear drainage.

Frequently asked questions about strabismus surgery?

Persistent watery eyes may be caused by dry eyes, allergies, blocked tear ducts, infection, eyelid problems or environmental irritation.

Yes. Dry eye syndrome often triggers reflex tearing as the eyes attempt to compensate for dryness.

One-sided tearing may indicate a blocked tear duct, foreign body, eyelid problem or localised irritation affecting that eye.

 

Many causes are harmless and temporary, but persistent watering can occasionally indicate infection, corneal injury or tear drainage obstruction that requires medical treatment.

 

Most cases do not require surgery. However, blocked tear ducts or eyelid abnormalities may require procedures such as DCR surgery or eyelid correction.

 

Fees will depend on the following factors:

Privately insured patients – Please check with your health fund whether your are covered for glaucoma surgery
Hospital costs – Please check with your health insurance fund
Out-of-pocket costs – We will provide you with a written estimate for the surgeon
Anaesthetic costs – Anaesthetists charge different fees, we provide you with the contact details of the Anaesthetist, so you can confirm fees in advance.

 

Yes, watery eyes can sometimes return after treatment, depending on the underlying cause.

While many patients experience long-term improvement, recurrence is possible if the original problem returns or if a chronic condition continues to affect tear production or drainage.

This will vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist to when you can undertake specific activities such as:

  • Driving
  • Exercising – Swimming, lifting objects
  • Wearing eye makeup
  • Bending over
  • Return to work or other activities.

Watery Eye Treatment Melbourne

If you have any questions about watery eye, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

Proud member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

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