Which term describes tearing in excess that can overwhelm tear ducts?

• A. Dry Eyes
• B. Eye Redness
• C. Ophthalmalgia
• D. Watery Eyes

Answer: (D)

Tearing in excess that can overwhelm tear ducts happens when tear production outpaces drainage, so tears spill over onto the eyelashes and cheeks. The everyday way to describe this is Watery Eyes. Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands and normally drain through tiny openings (puncta) into the nasolacrimal system. When drainage is overwhelmed or blocked—due to irritation, allergies, or a blocked duct—the result is watery eyes. Dry Eyes describes too little tearing, eye redness is a sign of irritation, and ophthalmalgia means eye pain, none of which capture the overflow tearing situation as accurately as Watery Eyes.