Karl W Whittaker | Consultant Eye Surgeon Causes Of A Watery Eye - Karl W Whittaker

A watery eye can occur because of:

(i) Overproduction of tears

(ii) A failure to drain tears away from the surface of the eye normally

Causes of tear overproduction include anything that irritates the surface of the eye, such as a foreign body, an in-turning eyelash and even dryness of the eye. In each case, watering occurs because irritation of the corneal nerve endings excessively stimulates the lacrimal gland leading to excessive production of tears.

Failure to drain tears away may be due to:

Inability of the tears to reach the entrance of the nasolacrimal passageway (known as the ‘punctum’). This may be due to a lax lower eyelid, or an ectropion (an eyelid margin which is slightly turned outwards away from the surface of the eye).
A blockage or narrowing along any part of the nasolacrimal passageway.

I graduated from Birmingham University in 1992, and have been an Eye Specialist for almost 20 years.

Following my Ophthalmology Specialist Training, I completed two Fellowships (advanced training) in glaucoma, working with the world-renowned Professor Anthony Molteno in New Zealand and Professor Peter Shah in Birmingham. Thereafter, I undertook a Fellowship in oculoplastic/lacrimal surgery, again in Birmingham. As a result, I am dual-qualified, which allows me to perform a wide range of ophthalmic procedures.

I have been a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust since 2003. In this role, I perform high volume cataract surgery and am the Clinical Lead for the Glaucoma and Oculoplastic/Lacrimal Surgery services.

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