When to see a vet urgently
Arrange an urgent examination if a watery eye is accompanied by any of the following:
- Marked squinting, keeping the eye closed or constantly rubbing it.
- A cloudy-looking cornea or an eye injury.
- A sudden change in vision or an obviously painful eye.
- Rapid swelling around the eye or discharge with a clear decline in general condition.
These signs must not be attributed simply to a blocked tear duct without examination. You can find a vet near you.
Overview
The tear duct begins at the inner corner of the eye, passes through bone and opens into the nasal cavity. When it is blocked, tears run onto the coat, causing wetness, skin irritation and brown streaks. Over time, secondary infections and chronic skin inflammation develop.
In some cats, the obstruction is congenital; in others, it develops secondary to inflammation or injury.
The glands producing tears and the passages draining them are different structures. Small openings called puncta lie at the inner corners of the eyelids, leading into small ducts and then the shared nasolacrimal duct. Inflammation of the tear sac at the inner corner also differs from tear gland disease, although all can cause signs around the eye.
Overflowing tears are called epiphora. This is a symptom, not always proof of obstruction. The eye may produce extra tears because of pain, corneal damage or conjunctivitis. In a flat-faced cat, tears may run onto the face even without a removable plug inside the duct.
Causes
- Congenital abnormalities, including short or malformed ducts in flat-faced breeds.
- Chronic conjunctival and corneal inflammation.
- Mechanical obstruction from grains of sand, hairs or foreign bodies.
- Tumours in the nasal cavity or eye socket.
- Scarring after injury or surgery.
- Upper respiratory infections, including herpesvirus and chlamydial infection.
A congenital problem may also involve an absent or narrowed punctum rather than duct length alone. Acquired swelling, a scar or an external mass acts differently, so not every cause is treated in the same way. Symptoms present since kittenhood and sudden discharge from one eye provide different background information.
Herpesvirus and other eye or respiratory infections may increase discharge or cause inflammatory changes. However, a positive infection finding alone does not establish mechanical obstruction. Mention sneezing or symptoms in several cats to the practice. Infection and duct function may be investigated together.
Risk factors
- Flat-faced breeds, including Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs.
- Chronic eye inflammation.
- Head and eye injuries.
- Older age, when scarring and chronic processes are more common.
Head shape and previous inflammation are useful background information, but not every flat-faced cat needs a duct opened. Older age alone is not used to explain obstruction. New discharge in a cat of an at-risk breed that has long been symptom-free also needs investigation, because another eye disease may be responsible.
Typical symptoms
- Persistent watering.
- Dark or brown streaks beneath the eyes.
- Wet fur and skin around the eyelids and muzzle.
- Skin inflammation and hair loss below the eyes.
- Scabs and small skin ulcers.
- Sometimes swelling and redness at the inner corner of the eye.
Brown staining reflects prolonged contact between tears and fur, but does not alone indicate bacterial infection. Pain, thick discharge, a bad smell or broken skin needs closer assessment. Note whether one or both eyes water and whether redness or squinting occurs.
Wetness alone does not establish whether vision is preserved or eye pressure is normal either. Watch your cat's behaviour: does it avoid light, rub its face or keep an eye closed? Take a comparison photograph of the area, but do not force a painful eye open or press the inner corner to test for a blockage.
Complications and consequences
- Chronic skin inflammation and itching.
- Secondary bacterial and fungal skin infections.
- Chronic conjunctivitis.
- Reduced quality of life from persistent discomfort.
Not every cat develops the listed inflammation. After examination, some tear staining proves mainly cosmetic, whereas continuously wet skin may create a real care problem. Tear sac inflammation is considered separately if discharge comes from the inner corner or the area swells. New pain is not automatically part of previously diagnosed harmless staining.
Diagnosis at the vet
- Eye examination.
- A fluorescein test to check duct patency: the dye should reach the nasal cavity.
- X-rays or CT if a tumour or bony abnormality is suspected.
- Tear duct endoscopy at specialist practices.
The whole eye is examined before attention turns to the drainage passage. The vet checks eyelid position, hairs contacting the eye and the eye's surface. When needed, tear production is measured with a Schirmer test, eye pressure is checked and the cornea stained to look for an ulcer.
Fluorescein can assess both the corneal surface and tear drainage. Dye visible at the nose supports an open drainage route, but its absence does not confirm obstruction on its own. Where the fluid travels affects the visible result, and dye may also appear in the mouth. Other methods complement the investigation when needed.
Opening the punctum and flushing the duct are performed under suitable sedation or anaesthesia so the cat stays still and delicate structures can be handled safely. Flushing may serve both diagnosis and treatment. Failure of fluid to pass or recurrent symptoms does not automatically mean repeating the same procedure without reassessing the cause.
Difficult or atypical cases may require imaging, sometimes with contrast, to locate the obstruction and assess surrounding structures. Bacterial culture is considered when infection is suspected. Endoscopy is a specialist investigation for selected cases, not every cat with watery eyes.
Treatment
- Flushing the tear passages under anaesthesia.
- Removal of foreign bodies.
- Treatment of underlying inflammation with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.
- Surgical correction of severe congenital abnormalities or permanent obstruction.
- Care of the skin beneath the eyes, including cleaning and drying products.
Treatment depends on the findings. Inflammation-related swelling may improve with medication, but a scarred structure or external tumour needs its own plan. Antibiotics do not open every mechanical blockage, and coat staining alone is not treated with repeated antibiotic courses.
Anti-inflammatory eye drops are selected after examination. A corticosteroid-containing product may delay corneal ulcer healing, so do not start previously prescribed drops yourself for new discharge. Tell the practice about every product already used and its effect.
A congenitally absent opening or permanent narrowing can sometimes be corrected surgically. In severe cases, a stent or creation of an alternative drainage route may be considered. Decisions take account of symptom burden, structural cause and expected benefit. Not every watery eye needs or can benefit from surgery.
In some flat-faced breeds, tear drainage cannot be fully restored, and regular care beneath the eyes is needed.
Caring for the skin beneath the eyes at home
Keep the skin as clean and dry as possible in the way recommended by the vet. Gently soften dried discharge rather than rubbing the skin raw. Ask specifically about a product suitable for the eye area, because a skin-drying product may not be suitable for the eye's surface.
Avoid hydrogen peroxide and other harsh cleaners near the eye. Trimming fur immediately beside the eye is also best left to a professional if the cat moves or resists. Cosmetic stain removal must not obscure assessment of pain, redness or new discharge.
Do not try to flush the duct at home or insert instruments into it. Follow prescribed medication and agreed check-ups. Contact the practice if squinting, swelling or worsening discharge develops after a procedure. The aim is a comfortable eye and healthy skin, rather than coat colour alone.
Prognosis
Removing foreign material or treating inflammation may restore drainage, but structural narrowing or longstanding scarring may leave symptoms. Monitoring is particularly important if the skin breaks down or inflammation recurs. Watering associated with congenital head shape may persist despite good care without every episode representing a new infection.
Prevention
- Treat conjunctivitis and nasal inflammation promptly.
- Care for your cat's eyes carefully, removing discharge and using suitable cleansing fluids.
- Take at-risk breeds for regular veterinary examinations.
- Prevent facial and eye injuries.
Cleaning does not correct congenital narrowing or prevent every injury or tumour. At the examination, agree which discharge can be managed with skin care in this particular cat and which changes need reassessment. Preventing inflammation does not mean using medicines just in case.
Important for cat owners
Blocked tear ducts are a common eye problem, particularly in flat-faced cats. Remember that persistent tear tracks and irritated skin are not merely cosmetic flaws but symptoms of disease. A vet helps identify the cause and choose treatment that improves quality of life.
However, not every tear track means a true blockage or serious disease. When eye pain and other problems are absent, staining may be mainly cosmetic. New symptoms or skin damage are nevertheless assessed separately.
This article provides general information and does not replace veterinary care. Contact a vet if you notice signs of illness in your cat.
Frequently asked questions
Does a brown tear stain mean infection?
Not on its own. Colour can develop as tears wet the fur. A bad smell, redness, pain or broken skin warrants closer examination.
Is the duct definitely blocked if dye does not appear at the nose?
No. A negative dye test indicates the need for further investigation but does not prove obstruction alone. The vet assesses it alongside the rest of the eye examination and flushing when needed.
Can I use old eye drops?
Do not start them without instructions. New discharge may have a different cause, and corticosteroid drops, for example, can be harmful with a corneal ulcer.
Does flushing cure every watery eye?
No. It may help a mild obstruction, but excess tear production, head structure or permanent scarring needs a different assessment. Treatment goals are agreed according to the findings.
This article is for general information only and is not a guide to treatment. If you notice the first signs of illness, contact your vet.
Paw4care editorial team
Sources
- Disorders of the Nasal Cavity and Tear Ducts in Cats, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-05.
- Lacrimal Duct Obstruction in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-05.
- Corneal Ulcers, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, accessed 2026-11-05.
- Respiratory Infections, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, accessed 2026-11-05.
- Eye Discharge (Epiphora) in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-05.
- Corneal Ulcers in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-05.