What Are Tears?

Understanding tears is essential to maintaining our eye health and emotional wellbeing. At EMC Pharma, we understand the importance of tears and strive to provide the best products and services to help you keep your eyes healthy and happy. 

Acuicyn™ is an antimicrobial prescription hypochlorous acid (HOCl) based eyelid and eyelash cleanser that is scientifically proven to eradicate the microorganisms that causes discomfort, FAST enough to provide near instant RELIEF, and GENTLE enough to use as often as needed and SAFE for all ages and skin types.

Tears are a salty liquid produced by the tear glands in the eyes. They help to lubricate and protect the eyes, as well as to wash away any foreign particles or irritants. Tears can also be a sign of various emotions, such as sadness, joy, or frustration.

Tears are composed of a mixture of water, salt, oils, and special proteins that help to protect and lubricate the eyes. The three main layers of tears are:

1. The outer oily layer, which helps to prevent evaporation of the tears and keeps the eyes moisturized.
2. The middle watery layer, which makes up the bulk of the tears and contains electrolytes, glucose, and proteins that help to nourish and protect the eyes.
3. The inner mucus layer, which helps to spread the tears evenly over the surface of the eyes and helps to trap any foreign particles or irritants.

The outer oily layer of a tear is also called the lipid layer or the meibum layer. This layer is produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which secrete oils that help to lubricate and protect the eyes.

It is important because it helps to prevent evaporation of the tears and keeps the eyes moisturized. It also helps to protect the eyes from the outside environment by preventing the tears from mixing with other fluids, such as sweat or water.

The composition of the oily layer is mostly made up of lipids, such as wax esters, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides. These lipids are insoluble in water and form a barrier between the tears and the outside environment. This layer also contains proteins and other substances that help to stabilize the tear film and maintain its structure.

The meibomian gland is a type of sebaceous gland located in the eyelids that produces an oily substance called meibum. These glands are named after a German physician named Heinrich Meibom, who first described them in the 17th century.

The meibomian glands are essential for the health of the eyes, as they secrete oils that help to lubricate and protect the eyes. The meibum produced by the glands is released onto the surface of the eye when we blink, where it mixes with the watery layer of tears to form a protective film. This film helps to prevent the evaporation of tears and protects the eyes from the outside environment.

When the meibomian glands become blocked or dysfunctional, a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can occur. This can result in dry eyes, irritation, and inflammation of the eyelids. MGD is a common condition, especially in older adults and those with certain medical conditions such as rosacea or blepharitis.

The middle watery layer of tears is the thickest layer of the tear film and makes up most of the volume of tears. It is produced by the lacrimal glands, which are located above each eye and secrete tears in response to emotions or irritation of the eyes.

This layer is composed of water, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), glucose, and proteins. The proteins in tears are important for maintaining the health and function of the eyes, as they help to protect against infection and inflammation.

The middle layer also contains special proteins called growth factors, which help to promote the growth and repair of the surface of the eye. These growth factors are important for maintaining the integrity of the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.

Additionally, this layer plays an important role in keeping the eyes moist and hydrated. It also helps to wash away any foreign particles or irritants that may come into contact with the eyes.

The lacrimal glands are a pair of almond-shaped glands located above each eye that produce tears. They are responsible for the production of the watery layer of tears, which is the largest and most important component of the tear film.

The lacrimal glands consist of two parts: the main gland and the accessory gland. The main gland is located in the upper outer corner of the eye socket, while the accessory gland is located in the upper inner corner of the eye socket.

They are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which means that they produce tears in response to emotional or physical stimuli. When we experience emotions such as sadness or joy, the lacrimal glands are activated and produce tears. Similarly, when the eyes are irritated or dry, the lacrimal glands produce tears to help wash away any foreign particles and lubricate the eyes.

The tears produced by the lacrimal glands are essential for maintaining the health and function of the eyes. They help to protect the eyes from infection and inflammation, lubricate the surface of the eyes, and provide nutrients and growth factors that are important for the health of the cornea and other structures of the eye.

The watery layer of tears also plays an important role in keeping the eyes moist and hydrated. It helps to wash away any foreign particles or irritants that may come into contact with the eyes.

The inner mucus layer of tears is the thinnest layer of the tear film and is located closest to the surface of the eye. It is produced by the goblet cells, which are specialized cells that are found in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the surface of the eye.

This layer of tears serves several important functions. First, it helps to spread the tears evenly over the surface of the eye, which is important for maintaining clear vision. Second, it helps to trap any foreign particles or irritants that may come into contact with the eye, preventing them from causing damage or irritation. Finally, the mucus layer contains special proteins and other substances that help to protect and nourish the surface of the eye.

The composition of the mucus layer of tears is mostly made up of mucins, which are large, sticky proteins that help to form a gel-like layer over the surface of the eye. This gel-like layer helps to hold the tears in place and prevent them from running off the surface of the eye too quickly. It also contains other substances, such as lipids and electrolytes, that help to protect and nourish the surface of the eye.

Goblet cells are specialized cells that are found in the epithelial lining of various organ systems, including the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the conjunctiva of the eye. These cells are named for their distinctive goblet-like shape, which is due to the presence of a large, cup-shaped mucous-secreting vacuole in the cell.

In the eye, goblet cells are primarily located in the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane that covers the surface of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. The goblet cells in the conjunctiva produce a mucus layer that helps to lubricate and protect the surface of the eye, as well as trap any foreign particles or irritants that may come into contact with the eye.

The mucus layer of the tear film also helps to spread the tears evenly over the surface of the eye, trap any foreign particles or irritants, and provide nutrients and growth factors that are important for the health of the eye.

Acuicyn™ is the daily antimicrobial eyelid and eyelash cleanser that contains pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl),  with over 20 years of experience providing evidence based, proven stability and efficacy and is, Steroid-free, Antibiotic-free, Non-irritating, Non-cytotoxic, and Non-sensitizing. Over 20 million patients and counting have found relief with our pure Performance Stablilized™ HOCl formulation, so contact your physician today.