Natural Tears Are a Beautiful Thing

Dry eye is a result of a reduction in the quality or quantity of natural tears. Insufficient tear production can lead to irritation, pain, and scarring of the cornea (the front covering of your eye).

Tears are essential to the health of our eyes. Tears moisturize, lubricate, nourish and clean the eye. The moisture prevents the cornea from drying, while the lubrication makes blinking smooth and comfortable. Tears also provide nourishment to the eye by supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Tears wash away foreign particles and help protect the eye from infection. Without adequate tears, the cornea can become damaged, which can lead to pain, blurred vision, and even blindness.

Tears are comprised of 3 components, oil, mucus (also called mucin) and watery tears. The innermost layer of tears is the mucus layer which coats the surface of the cornea and allows the tear film to adhere to the eye. The middle layer is the watery tears which provide moisture and supply oxygen and other nutrients to the cornea. The outer layer is composed of oil that seals the tear film and slows the evaporation of tears from the surface of the eye.

Tears are formed in several glands around the eye. The watery tears are produced in the lacrimal gland, while several smaller glands produce the oil and mucus layers. With each blink, the eyelids sweep tears across the eye. Excess tears flow into drainage ducts.