Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 3/5/2025

Why Is My Only One Eye Watering with Cold?

When it’s cold outside, one eye might water more because the cold or dry air can irritate that eye, causing extra tears to form.

answer background

Explanation

In chilly weather, the air can be dry or windy, which sometimes irritates your eyes. When an eye gets irritated, it naturally produces more tears to help protect and soothe it—a bit like a built-in washing system. You might notice this happens more in one eye because maybe that eye is more exposed to the wind or cold, or its tear drainage doesn’t work as well compared to the other side. Sometimes even slight differences in how your tear ducts work can make one eye water more than the other. This extra tearing is usually a normal response to irritation or dryness, and it helps keep your eye comfortable. However, if you find that your eye keeps watering a lot or it’s causing you discomfort, it might be a good idea to speak with an eye doctor. They can look at your eyes to check how well your tear ducts are draining and recommend treatments or lifestyle tips to keep your eyes happy during colder weather.

(References)

  • Verjee MA, Brissette AR, Starr CE. Dry Eye Disease: Early Recognition with Guidance on Management and Treatment for Primary Care Family Physicians. Ophthalmol Ther. 2020 Dec;9(4):877-888. doi: 10.1007/s40123-020-00308-z. Epub 2020 Oct 22. PMID: 33090327; PMCID: PMC7708574.

  • Patel J, Levin A, Patel BC. Epiphora. 2023 Aug 7. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 32491381.

  • Lopez Montes T, Gurnani B, Stokkermans TJ. Assessment of the Watery Eye. 2024 Feb 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 36508543.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

One eye watering

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.