Watery eyes can be a common symptom caused by few different reasons like a minor partial blockage in the tear draining ‘lacrimal system’ or a tight ‘stenosed’ lower eye lid lacrimal punctum through which the normal tears flow out of the eye. The other main reason for a watery eye accompanied with occasional gunky discharge in the inner corner of the eye may be caused by a more severe blockage further down in the nasolacrimal system which is called chronic dacryocystitis.

Dry eyes on the contrary may be caused by reduced production of tear film or a ‘poor tear film quality’. Commonly this is treated with a variety of preservative free lubricating eye drops and eye gels. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and some nutritional supplements are considered good for dry eyes.

Silicone punctum plugs for dry eyes

Insertion of tiny silicone ‘punctum plugs’ to temporarily block off the lower eyelid lacrimal punctum works as ‘tear augmenters’ by holding the natural tears in the eyes for longer. This may work quite effectively in mild to moderate dry eyes. The insertion of punctum plugs is offered by Mr Bhatta as a clinic procedure.

Lacrimal system procedures for watery eyes

Mr Bhatta offers probing and syringing of the lacrimal system which often helps a simple watery eye that may be due to a partial or minimal blockage of the lacrimal system. This can be often combined with enlarging of a tight stenosed lower eyelid lacrimal punctum by performing a ‘snip-punctoplasty’ under local anaesthesia as a day case. Occasionally the syringing procedure will help to confirm if the blockage is more severe and total due to chronic dacryocystitis in which case a bigger specialised surgery called dacryocystorhinostomy is necessary. Mr Bhatta can arrange the patient to be seen by an oculoplastic eye surgeon who specialises in this which may require a transfer of care to the NHS.