Is a watery eye normal after trabeculectomy?

What's normal

A watering eye after trabeculectomy is a reflex to surface irritation. Sutures on the conjunctiva, inflammation, and frequent drops all trigger tearing. It is usually worse outdoors, in wind, and in air conditioning, and it usually improves as the surface sutures loosen or come out. EyeWiki describes those flap and surface sutures being released or removed during the follow up visits in the first weeks.

Usually heaviest in the first 1 to 2 weeks and settling by about 4 to 6 weeks as the surface heals.

When it stops being normal

Watering that is really a leak is the concern. EyeWiki reports early wound leak in about 6 percent of eyes in CIGTS and about 11 percent in the Tube Versus Trabeculectomy study, and later bleb leak in about 5 percent in the Tube Versus Trabeculectomy study. A bleb leak matters because EyeWiki reports that bleb leakage increases the risk of bleb infection about 26 fold.

Call the same day if the watering feels like a steady trickle of clear fluid down the cheek, if it comes with a sudden drop in vision or a soft feeling eye, or if it comes with pain, redness, or discharge. Thick, colored, or sticky discharge is not tearing and is an urgent call.