Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 3/5/2025

Why Is Only My Left Eye Watering?

If only one eye is watering, it might be because that eye’s tear drainage system is blocked or irritated, which makes tears build up and spill over.

answer background

Explanation

Your eyes make tears to keep you comfortable and clear away dust or germs. Each eye has its own tear drainage channel. When only one eye waters, it could mean that the system in that eye is not working properly. A common reason is a blockage in the tear duct that stops tears from draining out as they should. Irritation from allergies, dust, or even a small injury can also cause your eye to produce extra tears. In some cases, there might be a rare condition like a growth affecting the tear drainage of the eye. When this happens, the excess tears have nowhere to go and overflow onto your face. If this watering keeps happening, it is a good idea to visit an eye doctor. They can check your eye closely to see if the tear duct is blocked or if something else is causing irritation. Getting the right treatment, such as using special plugs or other therapies, can help stop the eye from watering too much.

(References)

  • Bohlman H. Perforated punctal plug in the treatment of partial punctal stenosis. Optometry. 2003 Aug;74(8):524-8. PMID: 12926826.

  • Bewes T, Sacks R, Sacks PL, Chin D, Mrad N, Wilcsek G, Tumuluri K, Harvey R. Incidence of neoplasia in patients with unilateral epiphora. J Laryngol Otol. 2015 Jul;129 Suppl 3:S53-7. doi: 10.1017/S0022215115001504. PMID: 26173845.

  • 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.

  • Bewes T, Sacks R, Sacks PL, Chin D, Mrad N, Wilcsek G, Tumuluri K, Harvey R. Incidence of neoplasia in patients with unilateral epiphora. J Laryngol Otol. 2015 Jul;129 Suppl 3:S53-7. doi: 10.1017/S0022215115001504. PMID: 26173845.

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.