What causes watery eyes?

Watery eyes, also known as epiphora, can be caused by various factors, and in this context, allergies or inflammation is a significant contributing factor. Allergies can result from exposure to pollen, dust, pet dander, or other irritants, leading to an inflammatory response in the eyes. This inflammation causes the tear glands to produce additional tears as a protective mechanism, resulting in excessive tearing and watery eyes.

Additionally, inflammation of the conjunctiva, known as conjunctivitis (which can be allergic, viral, or bacterial), can also stimulate tear production, leading to the same watery effect. In this way, allergies or inflammation are directly connected to the body's response to irritants and allergens, resulting in tears that do not necessarily help with lubrication but are instead a reaction to irritation.

Other factors like increased tear production, infection in the eye, and lack of sleep could potentially cause watery eyes, but the presence of allergies or inflammation is specifically notable for its direct mechanism of triggering the tear production as a result of irritation.