General practice·General practice
Watering one eye
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
Watering one eye, also called unilateral epiphora (ep-ee-FOR-uh), is when tears spill onto the cheek from only one eye. It is not a disease but a symptom that something is affecting the normal tear drainage or tear production in that eye.
Key facts
- Tears normally drain through tiny openings in the inner corners of the eyelids into the nose.
- Watering from one eye often means the drainage tube (tear duct) on that side is blocked or narrow.
- Dry eye on the other side can sometimes cause the watering eye to overproduce tears as a reflex.
- Most causes are not serious and can be treated with simple measures or a minor procedure.
Yes, it is a very common reason to visit an optician or GP, especially in babies and older adults.