Why Do My Eyes Water When They’re Dry?

It might sound strange, but watery eyes are often a sign of dry eye. Many people assume that tears mean the eyes are healthy—but in reality, watery eyes can be your eyes’ way of asking for help. Let’s break it down simply.
 

Tears Have an Important Job

Tears do more than help you cry—they keep your eyes healthy and comfortable. They:

• Keep your eyes comfortable
   

• Protect your eyes from dust and germs
   

• Help you see clearly
  
   

Healthy tears are made of three layers:

• Oil – prevents tears from evaporating too quickly
   

• Water – keeps the eyes moist
   

• Mucus – helps tears spread evenly across the eye
   

All three layers are essential for happy, healthy eyes.
 

What Happens With Dry Eye?

When your eyes are dry, your tear film is out of balance. This can happen if:

• Your eyes don’t produce enough oil
   

• Tears evaporate too quickly
   

• Tears fail to stay on the eye surface
   

As a result, your eyes may feel:

• Dry
   

• Gritty
   

• Burning
   

• Tired
   

So Why Do Dry Eyes Water?

When your eyes become too dry or irritated, they send a panic signal to your brain. In response, your brain floods your eyes with reflex tears.
 

The Problem With Reflex Tears

Reflex tears are:

• Mostly water
   

• Missing the oil layer
   

• Unable to stay on the eye
   

Even though your eyes look watery, they’re still dry. The tears run off instead of protecting your eyes. That’s why you can feel dry and watery at the same time.

 

Eyedeal Eyecare Screens Every Patient

At Eyedeal Eyecare, we screen every patient for ocular surface disease, including dry eye, during all eye examinations at no additional charge.

This screening is:

• Part of your routine eye exam
   

• Quick and comfortable
   

• Done even if you don’t have symptoms
   

Many people have dry eye or ocular surface disease without realizing it. Early detection helps prevent discomfort and long-term vision problems.

Key Takeaways

• Watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye
   

• Not all dry eyes produce tears, but irritation can trigger reflex tearing
   

• Healthy tears need the right balance of oil, water, and mucus
   

• Early screening helps protect your comfort and vision
   

If your eyes burn, water, feel tired, or just don’t feel right, it may be your eyes’ way of sending a message—don’t ignore it!

(606) 877-1101
eyedealeye@aol.com
www.eyedealeye.com