Tears that keep your eyes healthy

 

Tears play a very important role in maintaining eye health. When foreign substances or dust enter the eye, tears are secreted to wash them away, and together with the eyelids, they protect the eyes from external stimuli. Tears also help maintain proper moisture in the eyes and supply oxygen and nutrients. When the eyes become dry, it can cause fatigue and blurred vision; in such cases, tears play a crucial role in keeping the eyes properly hydrated.

Structure of the tear film

The tear film is composed of three layers: the mucous layer, aqueous layer, and lipid layer.

The mucous layer helps the tear film adhere properly to the cornea, removes impurities from its surface, and maintains moisture. It also reduces friction between the eyelid and the cornea.

The aqueous layer makes up the largest portion of the tear film and contains proteins and salts. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cornea, aids in healing damage, and protects the eye from external infections.

The lipid layer, located on the outermost surface of the tear film, prevents tear evaporation and helps spread tears evenly across the cornea. This keeps the corneal surface smooth and well-lubricated.

Functions of Tears

1. Maintaining visual quality

Tears smooth the surface of the eye, evenly covering the cornea and conjunctiva. This allows light to be reflected uniformly, helping you see objects more clearly.

2. Preventing infection

Tears contain a protein enzyme called “lysozyme,” which breaks down bacterial cell walls, protects the eyes from external viruses, and helps reduce inflammation.

3. Supplying nutrients to the cornea

While the conjunctiva receives oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels, the cornea does not have blood vessels and requires an external supply. Tears fulfill this role, and the oxygen in tears helps keep the cornea healthy even during sleep.

Damaged Meibomian Glands | Normal Meibomian Glands

A condition in which the eyelids fail to function properly due to inflammation or other causes is called Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). When the function of the Meibomian glands declines, the oil they produce can harden and block the gland openings, leading to inflammation and interfering with normal tear secretion. As a result, tear production decreases, which can lead to symptoms such as dry eye syndrome.

Dry Eye Treatment at Bright Eye Clinic Gangnam

Bright Eye Clinic Gangnam offers step-by-step treatment to improve dry eye syndrome caused by insufficient tear production.

Step 1. Dry Eye Examination

Using the DRYEYE SCAN device, the degree of tear evaporation, blinking patterns, and tear flow are precisely analyzed to identify the root cause.

Step 2. Dry Eye Treatment

The Lumenis IPL M22 device is used to melt and express hardened oils in the Meibomian glands, helping to relieve symptoms.

Step 3. Corneal Regeneration

Cure Serum Dr. PRP is a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drop that helps restore the damaged ocular surface and supports corneal regeneration after dry eye or vision correction procedures.

When dry eye occurs, many people rely on artificial tears; however, this provides only temporary relief. To prevent progression to decreased vision, addressing the underlying cause is important. If symptoms persist, it is necessary to visit a specialized clinic for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.