Why do tears come from our eyes? Let's learn about the Lacrimal Apparatus in simple terms!

It's normal for tears to come out of our eyes when we cry or when something like dust gets in our eyes. But have you ever wondered how these tears are formed, how they spread throughout the eye, and where they go after that? It's like a little irrigation system inside our eyes. Today, we'll talk about this amazing tear system. In medical terms, this is called the tear system or `(Lacrimal Apparatus)`.

What is this tear system?

Simply put, your tear system is the entire system that makes tears in your eyes and removes old tears. It's a complex network of glands, small sacs, and ducts. You have two separate systems for each of your eyes.

Think of it like a system for watering a garden. Just as underground pipes, water plants, and a drainage system combine to keep the garden green and beautiful, our tear system, with its glands and ducts, carries the liquid called tears (medically called ``lacrimal fluid'') throughout the eye.

Our eyes produce tears to protect them. These tears provide moisture, or lubrication, to the tissues that cover the white part of the eye (conjunctiva) and the transparent part at the front of the eye (cornea). They also wash away dust, dirt, and allergens that enter the eye. This entire process, which involves pumping and draining tears, is controlled by a nerve in our face, the facial nerve.

Tears welled up, the journey out of sight

This is a wonderful journey. Let's see how it goes.

Tears start to form in the lacrimal glands, located above your upper eyelid, at the outer corner of your eye. These glands produce the salt and water that make up your tears. Then, every time you blink, this fluid spreads throughout your eye.

But tears are not just water. Tiny glands at the edges of your eyelids, called meibomian glands, secrete an oily secretion. This oil mixes with the water from the tear glands to form a full tear drop. This oily layer is very important because it stops the tears from evaporating too quickly. It also helps to keep a small amount of this oil along the edge of the eyelid, preventing tears from running over the eyelid.

So, after you've cleaned and moisturized your eyes, these old tears need to drain out of your eyes. This happens through two small holes in the inner corner of your eye, on the side of your nose. These are called ``lacrimal puncta.'' Every time you blink, these holes act like a pump, pulling the old tears back into your eyes.

From there, the tears collect in temporary storage called lacrimal sacs. These are like little tanks. Then, from these sacs, they travel down the nasolacrimal duct, and eventually end up in the back of your nose.

What are the main parts of the tear system?

Let's understand the main parts of this entire system and their functions in this table.

Common problems that can occur in this system

Sometimes, some problems can arise in this systematic system. Then we face various difficulties. These are some of the most common situations.

How do you know there is a problem?

The two main symptoms that indicate there is a problem with your tear system are dry eyes and excessive tearing . If you have either of these symptoms, you should definitely see an ophthalmologist, or an eye doctor.

Even a small problem in one part of this system can affect the entire system. For example, what happens if those oil-producing ``meibomian glands'' we talked about are blocked? Then the oil doesn't mix with the tears. So the tears don't stay in the eye properly, and they run over the eyelids. We feel like tears are just coming out of our eyes.

How to keep the tear system healthy?

We need to take care to keep this tear system healthy, just like our eyes.

• Get regular eye exams: Visit an ophthalmologist at regular intervals to get your eyes checked. This will help you understand not only your vision but also your overall eye health.
• Tell your doctor about changes: If you notice any changes in your eyes or vision, tell your doctor about it.
• Glasses and Contact Lenses: If you wear glasses or contact lenses, have them checked by a doctor at regular intervals and have them replaced.
• Special attention if you have diabetes: If you have diabetes, you should definitely see an ophthalmologist at least once a year to have your eyes checked.
• Wear safety glasses: When playing sports or engaging in work that could pose a risk to your eyes, wear recommended safety glasses.

Our tear system is a very important part of our eyes, helping to keep them moist, protected, and healthy. So if you have symptoms like dry eyes or excessive tearing, don't ignore them. Sometimes they can be normal conditions, but sometimes they can be a sign of a disease that requires immediate treatment. So, it's best to seek medical advice.