How To Stop Watery Eyes After 50: A Doctor Reveals the Sneaky Causes and Easy Fixes
See the red flags it's time visit your eye doctor for help
Ever been going about your day when your vision starts to get a blurry and you unexpectedly notice tears starting to form? You’re not crying, your eyes are just…watering. And lately, it seems to be happening more and more. If this sounds familiar, you’re far from alone. Experts say watery eyes become increasingly common after 50. But why does this happen—and more importantly, what can help? We asked a leading eye doctor to explain how to stop watery eyes quickly and naturally.
Common causes of watery eyes after 50
“Watery eyes (epiphora) occurs when the tear system is either producing too many tears or failing to drain them properly,” explains Alexander Martin, OD, FAAO, a leader in the field of optometry and Chief Medical Officer of Eyebot.
It might seem contradictory, but even if you’ve dealt with dry eyes in the past, you may notice more watering as you age. Dr. Martin explains the surprising reasons why:
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Eyelid and tissue laxity
Dr. Martin says the lower eyelid can loosen over time, which can prevent the tear drainage opening from sitting properly against the eye and make it harder for tears to drain. The result: tears that pool in your eyes or flow down your cheeks.
Tear quality changes
The meibomian glands, tiny oil-producing glands along the eyelids, can become less effective with age, reducing the oil layer that protects the tear film, explains Dr. Martin. This causes tears to evaporate more quickly and can trigger reflex tearing.
Narrowing tear ducts
Tear flow can decrease as the tear ducts narrow with age, slowing the drainage of tears from the eyes, explains Dr. Martin.
Increased risk of dry eye disease
Dr. Martin says dry eye disease, which occurs when the tear film becomes unstable and creates chronic inflammation on the surface of the eye, is more common in older adults. The irritation it causes can trigger reflex tearing.
Even though watery eyes become more common with age, they can affect anyone. Other common causes include allergies, environmental irritants like wind, smoke or cold air and eyelid problems such as lids that turn inward or outward, which can disrupt blinking and trigger reflex tearing, adds Dr. Martin.
How to stop watery eyes at home
Dr. Martin shares a few simple habits that may help treat watery eyes at home:
- Focus on dryness, not just excess tears. Watery eyes are often the body’s response to dryness or an unstable tear layer rather than an actual surplus of tears, says Dr. Martin. To help prevent watery eyes triggered by dryness, Dr. Martin says artificial tears are an easy first step.
- Use redness drops sparingly. Products marketed to remove redness can worsen irritation over time and don’t address the underlying reason eyes are watering, explains Dr. Martin. They are okay to use, but should be used occasionally, he adds. Instead, target the root cause. That could mean taking antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines if your watering is triggered by allergies, or using a warm compress if your watery eyes are the result of clogged tear ducts.
- Take care of your eyelids. Problems affecting the eyelids and oil glands along the lash line can contribute to watery eyes if they aren’t managed, says Dr. Martin. Try cleansing your lids with a gentle baby shampoo to remove irritants and build-up that can affect tear production.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes. Frequent rubbing can aggravate irritation and inflammation, which may lead the eyes to produce even more tears, adds Dr. Martin.
When to see a doctor about watery eyes
Dr. Martin says it’s a good idea to see a doctor if your watery eyes are:
- Lasting several weeks without improving
- Occurring mostly in one eye
- Accompanied by pain, redness or changes in vision
- Causing light sensitivity
- Producing thick or unusual discharge
- Linked to swelling around the eyelid or a lump near the tear duct
- Happening after an eye injury or chemical exposure
These warning signs can point to problems such as a blocked tear duct, corneal irritation, inflammation or an eye infection that may need medical care, adds Dr. Martin. That may include oral antibiotics or medicated eye drops.
The bottom line on how to stop watery eyes
As we age, our bodies change in unexpected ways—and watery eyes are just one of those surprises. But understanding what’s happening and having simple strategies to manage it means you don’t have to just live with the discomfort. Whether it’s using the right eye drops, caring for your eyelids or knowing when to see a doctor, you have options.
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