Why is my only one eye watering with cold?

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, you can use our free symptom checker to better understand what might be happening and whether you should 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.