Tearing in Adults

Your body produces tears constantly to keep the eyes moist, lubricated, and healthy. This is accomplished by the lacrimal gland and other small glands located inside your eyelids and on the clear tissue (conjunctiva) covering the white of the eye. When produced, the tears normally drain through two small openings called puncta that are located in the upper and lower eyelids at the corners nearest to your nose. The tears then pass through a passage called the canaliculus into the lacrimal sac. They then exit through the nasolacrimal duct into the back of your nose and throat. This is the reason that your nose runs when you cry.

Excessive tearing may occur for a variety of possible reasons including:

• Eyelid disorders such as an inward- or outward-turning eyelid (entropion or ectropion, respectively)
• Eyelash disorders (such as an eyelash poking or irritating the eye, called trichiasis)
• Eye infection
• Environmental factors (such as wind, smoke, or fumes)
• Allergic reaction
• Ocular surface disease
• Dry eye
• Foreign material in the eye
• Injury to the eye (such as a scratch) or eyelids
• Birth Defect
• Infection of the tear drainage system
• Glaucoma
• Certain medications
• Eyestrain

If you are experiencing excessive tearing, then it is recommended that you undergo an evaluation with an eye doctor. A number of different tests may be performed to determine the cause of your problem. Once he or she determines the cause, then the appropriate treatment options may be initiated.