Is It True Tears Will Help to Clean Your Eye?
Understanding the Anatomy of Tears for Eye Health
Tears comprise water, oils, mucus, proteins, electrolytes, and antibodies. Each component has a specific role in preserving the well-being of the eyes.
Even then, the composition of tears can vary depending on the cause of crying. Emotional tears, for example, contain more stress hormones than those produced due to eye irritation or injury.
Does Crying Improve Your Vision?
Only a comprehensive eye exam can help you determine whether your eye health is compromised due to prolonged crying. Usually, depending on the reason for crying, tears can improve or disturb your eye health. Overall, tears are vital for maintaining eye health and well-being. Some key aspects highlighting the essence of tears for eye health are:
- Lubrication: Tears are a natural lubricant for the eyes, keeping them moist by preventing dryness. They maintain a smooth and comfortable surface on the front of the eye, facilitating blinking and reducing friction between the eyelids and the cornea. Proper lubrication is crucial for clear vision and overall eye comfort.
- Protection: Tears protect the eyes from external irritants and foreign particles. They contain enzymes and antibodies to combat bacteria and viruses and lower the risk of eye infections. Tears also have a natural antimicrobial agent that keeps the ocular surface clean and healthy by washing away debris, dust, and other irritants.
- Nutrient supply: Tears transport essential nutrients and oxygen to the eyes’ surfaces, nourishing the cornea and other ocular tissues. These nutrients support the health and integrity of the ocular structures, promoting proper functioning and optimal visual acuity.
- Healing and tissue repair: Tears contain growth factors and healing properties that help repair minor corneal abrasions and injuries. They contribute to regenerating damaged cells, aiding recovery, and promoting ocular health.
- Emotional well-being: Tears contribute to emotional well-being. Emotional tears contain stress hormones that can help alleviate emotional stress and release tension, benefiting overall mental health.
Is Too Much Crying Bad for an Eye?
In cases where there is an imbalance in tear production, either excessive or insufficient, eye health can be affected. Therefore, excessive crying leads to temporary discomfort and redness.
Fortunately, continuous and intense crying does not usually cause long-term eye damage. Instead, it may result in temporary inflammation or irritation of the thin tissue that covers the eye’s front surface and lines the eyelids’ inside. The outcome may be:
- Redness
- Swelling and puffiness
- A feeling of dryness
- Irritation and discomfort
- Strained the eye muscles – causing eye fatigue
- Blurry vision during or immediately after crying
Can Crying Cause Permanent Damage?
It is improbable that you will suffer permanent eye problems after crying too much. It may only be the case if you initially had common eye diseases compromising your eye health.
Besides, the eyes can heal themselves after certain occurrences, even without visiting an eye clinic in Calgary. For example, any discomfort or redness caused by excessive crying typically resolves on its own within a short period.
However, where there are underlying issues, you may need to visit us at Premier Eye Care – Mahogany for treatments to alleviate discomfort. We can recommend applying a cold compress to your closed eyes or using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. Some of those underlying eye problems are:
- Dry eye syndrome – happens when the eyes cannot produce sufficient tears or evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, redness, and a gritty or burning sensation. Crying can contribute to dryness and exacerbate the symptoms if you already have the disease.
- Allergic conjunctivitis – is a swelling of the conjunctiva due to an allergic reaction to substances like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Crying can introduce allergens into the eyes, worsening the symptoms associated with it.
- Eye infections – crying can potentially worsen symptoms of eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (“pink eye”). Crying increases the spread of bacteria or viruses on the hands or tissues used to wipe tears, leading to further eye irritation and infection.
- Eye strain – symptoms of eye strain, such as headaches, blurred vision, and eye fatigue, worsen after crying, particularly while looking at a screen or engaging in visually demanding activities.