WHAT
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Without a thick outer most oil layer, our tears will be too thin and evaporate easily.
When there is an imbalance in the tear-flow system, dry eyes occur. 
  • The natural aging process
  • Environment, Air conditioning in office or car
  • Side effects of certain drugs such as antihistamines and birth control pills.
  • Structural problems with the eye lids that don't allow them to close properly.
  • Our oil glands could be clogged causing an insufficient outer oil layer to be produced. This creates a thin tear layer that evaporates too easily. 
SYMPTOMS
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Though it may sound strange, watery eyes can be due to dry eyes.
  • Pain
  • Light sensitivity
  • A gritty sensation
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Blurring of vision
  • Excessive tears
HOW CAN I HAVE DRY EYES IF MY EYES WATER?
​When your eyes do not get enough lubrication, the eye sends a distress signal through the nervous system for more lubrication. In response, the eye is flooded with tears to try to compensate for the underlying dryness. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears. Vision will not be as clear too when you have an unstable tear layer. 
TREATMENTS
Artificial tear drops and ointments. The use of artificial teardrops is the primary treatment for dry eye. Artificial teardrops are available over the counter.  Since there are many types of dry eyes, not every artificial tear works the same. If you have chronic dry eye, it is important to use the drops even when your eyes feel fine, to keep them lubricated.  
Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation that can contribute to dry-eye syndrome (DES), a common condition that’s easily diagnosed by an eye doctor. Studies have shown that with more omega-3’s in your system, you produced more tears. 
Warm Compresses. Tears, your eyes’ own lubrication, are made up of water and an oily substance produced by glands along the eyelids. If cells in the glands harden and plug the opening, it can keep the oil from getting into the tear film. Without that oil, the water in tears evaporates too quickly, leaving eyes feeling dry. A warm compress helps liquefy plugs so the oil can flow into tears. Place a warm, wet washcloth or heat source over your eyelids for up to 10 minutes once a day as needed to unplug the oil glands. 
Click here for Rice Warm Compressing Method
Eyelid Washes. Dry eyes that are accompanied by flaking along the lids, which could be a sign of blepharitis, a dandruff like inflammation of the eyelash follicles. People with blepharitis tend to overproduce oil, which can block the glands and cause tears to evaporate too rapidly. An over-the-counter eye wash contains mild cleansing agents to dissolve oil and remove flakes (as well as irritants and allergens that can exacerbate the problem). Rinse or massage over the lash line once a day, typically at night. 
Punctal occlusion. Sometimes it is necessary to close the ducts that drain tears out of the eye. This may be done with temporary or permanent plugs that can be inserted into the tear drain of the lower eyelids. These plugs will hold tears around the eyes to improve lubrication. The plugs can be removed at any time. Many patients find that the plugs improve comfort and reduce the need for artificial tears.

Medications. Sometimes over the counter artificial tears aren't enough and prescription eye drops are needed. There are many different types of medications, including Restasis, Azasite, and topical steroids, that can help treat dry eye issues.