Can allergies cause watery eyes?

How allergies cause it

Watery eyes are one of the typical symptoms of an eye allergy, along with itchiness, sensitivity to light, redness, grittiness and eyelid swelling.¹ These symptoms typically appear shortly after exposure to the allergen.¹

Many trees, grasses and weeds make small, light, dry pollen grains that travel on the wind and can find their way into your eyes, nose and lungs.² In the eye, the allergen comes in contact with antibodies attached to mast cells, which release histamine and other chemicals that make tiny blood vessels leak, so the eyes turn itchy, red and watery.⁴ ACAAI describes the discharge of an eye allergy as clear and watery.⁴

If your symptoms are related to an eye allergy, chances are you will have problems in both eyes, and the symptoms can occur alone or along with the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.¹

Pollen seasons and timing

Across the US, trees produce the most pollen from February through April, and in some regions, such as the South, trees may produce pollen as early as December or January.² Grasses cause most late spring and summer pollen allergy symptoms, and weed pollen appears in the late summer and fall.² People with a pollen allergy only have symptoms when the pollens they are allergic to are in the air.²

Allergy symptoms last as long as allergens are present, and symptoms caused by pollens can last up to six weeks during pollen seasons in the spring, summer or fall.⁶ Indoor allergens may be present all year.⁶ Dust mites and pet dander, for example, can cause eye allergies year-round.¹

Allergies or something else?

Dry eye can also make the eyes water: excessive tearing after periods of dryness is one of its symptoms.⁷ Watery, teary eyes are also a symptom of pink eye (conjunctivitis).⁵

The type of pink eye gives clues. Allergic pink eye usually affects both eyes, intense itching can occur, and other allergy symptoms may come with it, like an itchy nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat or asthma.⁵ Viral pink eye usually brings a watery discharge rather than a thick one; it can occur with a cold, flu or respiratory infection, and it usually begins in one eye and spreads to the other within days.⁵ Bacterial pink eye usually produces thick pus that can make the eyelids stick together.⁵

When to see a doctor

Pink eye can affect vision.⁵ See a healthcare provider if you have eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision or intense eye redness.⁵

An allergist has the training and experience to find out which allergens are causing your symptoms.¹