Small glands, located in the surface tissue on the white of the eye and lining the eyelids, constantly produce small quantities of tears to keep the eye healthy and lubricated. The lacrimal gland, a larger gland located in the upper eyelid, responds to emotion or eye irritation by producing larger quantities of tears.
In some people, tears well up in the eye because too many tears are produced or because the tears are not draining properly. Excess tears give the eye a moist appearance, and can collect along the border of the lower lid and overflow onto the cheek.
Causes
Injury, birth defects, and infections (especially of the lacrimal sac) can block tear drainage and cause overflow tearing. Eye infections, lid problems, an in-turned eyelash, wind exposure, yawning, glaucoma, certain drugs, or even dry eye can also cause excessive tearing.
Excessive tearing does not always mean an excess of tears or blockage of the drainage system. Patients with a dry eye often complain of tearing. When the amount of lubricating tears secreted is too low to maintain necessary moisture for the eye, the large lacrimal gland often reacts by producing additional tears which cause episodes of overflow tearing, even though the underlying problem is too few lubricating tears or dry eyes.
A thorough examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary to determine which of these problems is causing excessive tearing.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the exact cause. If excess tears are caused by an in-turned eyelash, the offending eyelash is removed. Abnormalities of the eyelid may require surgery. If the tear drainage system is blocked, surgery to open or bypass the blockage may be necessary. The type of surgery depends on the location of the blockage.
Occasionally, the exact cause cannot be determined. In such cases, the patient may have to learn to live with the problem.
Your ophthalmologist at Fort Worth Eye Associates can provide you with more information specific to your case. The above information is not intended to replace a personal exam, medical diagnosis, and/or complete treatment description by an ophthalmologist.