Q. My eyes are watering – please can you help me?

A. Watering eyes are common and often get better on their own, but treatment may be needed if the watering affects your daily activities.

It's normal for your eyes to water in smoky environments or if you're outside in the cold or wind. An eye injury or something in your eye, such as an eyelash or a piece of grit, can also make your eyes water.

Sometimes watering eyes can be caused by a condition such as:

• an allergy or infection (conjunctivitis)

• blocked tear ducts (small tubes that tears drain into)

• your eyelid drooping away from the eye (ectropion) or your eyelid turning inwards (entropion)

• dry eye syndrome – this can cause your eyes to produce too many tears

Babies often have watering eyes because their tear ducts are small. It usually gets better by the time they're 1 year old.

A pharmacist may be able to help. They will tell you:

• what you can do to treat it yourself – such as cleaning and protecting your eyes

• if you can buy anything to help – such as cleaning solutions, eye drops or allergy medicines

• if you need to see an optician or GP

If after you’ve seen a pharmacist things haven’t improved you may need to see your doctor, or you may need to go and see an optician, as they are experts on eyes, and can help with minor eye conditions.

Treatment may not be needed if the watering isn't causing problems.