The common experience of eyes watering in cold or windy conditions is medically known as epiphora. This sudden overflow of tears is a dual response from the body attempting to protect the sensitive surface of the eye. The eyes react to harsh environmental conditions by producing excessive protective fluid and struggling with a temporary inability to drain that fluid away. This reaction combines a natural biological defense mechanism and a cold-induced bottleneck in the tear drainage system.
The Eye’s Protective Response to Cold
Cold air and wind act as strong irritants that disrupt the delicate tear film covering the eye. When exposed to these elements, the tear film evaporates much more quickly, leading to dryness on the corneal surface. This dryness and irritation triggers a reflex arc that signals the main lacrimal glands, located above the outer corner of each eye.
The resulting signal causes an immediate, protective flush of watery tears to be produced at a high volume. This emergency response aims to rapidly moisten the eye and wash away potential irritants, treating the cold, dry air as a foreign threat. This sudden flood of tears is often a sign that the eyes were already slightly dry, and the cold exacerbated the underlying condition. This reflex tearing mechanism is responsible for the high volume of fluid that suddenly appears.
Why Tears Can’t Drain Properly
The eye is equipped with a sophisticated drainage system that normally handles the constant production of tears unnoticed. Tears are collected through small openings called puncta, which lead into tiny tubes called canaliculi. They eventually reach the nasolacrimal duct that empties into the nose, which is why crying often causes a runny nose.
When the lacrimal glands produce an overwhelming volume of reflex tears, the drainage system cannot keep up with the flow. Exposure to cold can also cause the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages and the nasolacrimal duct to swell or constrict. This temporary narrowing creates a bottleneck that prevents the rapid influx of tears from draining efficiently.
The combination of excessive production and constricted drainage means tears spill over the lower eyelid and onto the cheek. This overflow is the visible watering people experience outdoors in the cold. Wind exacerbates this issue because it increases tear evaporation, forcing the lacrimal glands to produce more protective tears, further overwhelming the compromised drainage system.
Simple Steps to Reduce Watering
A highly effective way to reduce cold-induced watering is to create a physical barrier against the wind and cold air. Wearing wrap-around sunglasses, ski goggles, or clear protective eyewear can significantly slow down tear evaporation and reduce the irritant signal. Shielding the eyes means the lacrimal glands are less likely to initiate the excessive reflex tearing response.
Using lubricating eye drops, often called artificial tears, before going outside can also be helpful. These drops reinforce the tear film, which helps prevent the initial dryness that triggers the reflex tearing cascade. If the drainage ducts feel congested, a warm compress applied near the inner corner of the eye can encourage the surrounding tissues to relax and improve flow. Addressing any underlying dry eye condition is beneficial, as chronic dryness makes the eyes overly sensitive to cold and wind irritation.