What are tears?
Tears are made up of three layers, known as the tear film:
Why do we produce tears?
Tears have two main functions. They are essential to both vision and the cornea.
What role do tears play in the cornea?
The cornea is primarily made up of water. To ensure enough water is present, the cornea is constantly covered with tears. These are produced by the lacrimal glands and distributed across the surface of the cornea when we blink. Tears hydrate, nourish and oxygenate the cornea.
The cornea is the main lens in the eye, responsible for around 80% of refraction. That’s why it’s so important, and why it needs to be protected!
What role do tears play in vision?
Tears are a vital part of the eye surface, helping to maintain optimal vision quality and comfort. The tear film provides lubrication and smooths out the surface of the cornea.
Its optical properties account for around 70% of the total optical power of the eye.
What role do tears play in the cornea?
The cornea is primarily made up of water. To ensure enough water is present, the cornea is constantly covered with tears. These are produced by the lacrimal glands and distributed across the surface of the cornea when we blink. Tears hydrate, nourish and oxygenate the cornea.
The cornea is the main lens in the eye, responsible for around 80% of refraction. That’s why it’s so important, and why it needs to be protected!
What role do tears play in vision?
Tears are a vital part of the eye surface, helping to maintain optimal vision quality and comfort. The tear film provides lubrication and smooths out the surface of the cornea.
Its optical properties account for around 70% of the total optical power of the eye.
Why do we blink?
The eyelids and the act of blinking have several key functions:
1
Blinking helps protect the eye from injury and ensures the tears can be secreted, spread out and drained
2
The act of blinking stimulates the meibomian glands in the upper and lower eyelids that produce the oil found in tears, ensures the tear film is spread consistently across the cornea, and protects the eye from foreign bodies
A normal blinking rate is around 15 blinks per minute, which equates to one blink every four seconds.
How is dry eye diagnosed and treated?
New imaging tests and IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments—all completely painless—are now available alongside a range of other diagnosis and treatment options for dry eye.
