The Role of Your Tears
Your tears keep your eyes free from bacteria so they can stay comfortable and free from irritants. They are essential to help you see clearly and can help you communicate your emotions.
The lacrimal glands above each eye produce your tears, and they drain into the puncta, holes in the corners of your upper and lower eyelids. The tears then travel through small canals and empty into your nose, where they evaporate or are reabsorbed.
What Tears Are Made Of
The tear film is the layer of tears that cover the eyes’ surface and keep them lubricated. The tear film is made up of 3 layers:
- The oily, outermost layer that prevents the tears from evaporating.
- The watery, middle layer that keeps the eye hydrated and repels bacteria.
- The innermost mucus layer that keeps the tear fastened to the eye.