Know The Physiological Function Of Tears And FAQs On Crying With Contacts

Know The Physiological Function Of Tears And FAQs On Crying With Contacts

Crying is the most human response to a stimulus and perhaps, unique to our species. Whether it is emotion induced or a result of something ‘stuck’ in your eyes, the process of tears rolling out of your eye is a complex physiological feature.

It is fascinating to know that not all tears are the same. The functioning is multi-layered which is makes it even more interesting. While welling up is sometimes involuntary and beyond our control, the real question is can you cry with contact lenses in? Let us get down to it straight and first understand what really constitutes tears?

Types Of Tears

We produce 15-30 gallons of tears each year and they differ in its composition. There are mainly three types of tears we secrete: [1]

  1. Basal Tears – These are the ever-present lubricants that nourish and protect the eyes from drying out. It keeps the debris and dirt away and acts like a safety shield from the world.
  2. Reflex Tears – The response to some irritant obstructing your vision results in reflex tears. Smoke, onion fumes and any foreign body that might harm the eye induces the reflex tears produced in larger amounts to keep bacteria at bay.
  3. Emotional Tears – Produced as a response to feeling sad, happy or other emotions evoking a cry. Scientists suggests that emotional tears have additional hormones and chemical composition that is different from basal and reflex tears.

Layers Of Tears

Tears are usually made up of water, salt and lipids along with enzymes similar to the saliva and electrolytes. Each tear we produce is made up of three layers:

  1. Inner Mucus Layer – that holds it to the eye
  2. Watery Middle Layer – that is the thickest layer to protect the cornea
  3. Outer Oily Layer – that prevents other layers from evaporating

How It Works?

The tears are produced by lacrimal glands placed above each eye. When you blink, the tear spreads around and drains into the puncta, which are the tiny holes on your upper and lower eyelids. Small canals run down these holes into a duct, before entering our nose. These are the pathways for it where tears roll down our cheeks and nose and ultimately lead to re-absorption or evaporation.

Frequently Asked Questions on Crying with Contact Lenses In

  1. Is it safe to cry with contact lenses in?
  2. It is safe to cry with contact lenses in as long as you don’t rub your eyes or clean it with tissues. The lenses might absorb the mucus from the tears which might make your vision a bit blurry and provides extra moisture which enables the lenses to move more freely.

  3. Can you cry with contact lenses on?
  4. Since crying is sometimes involuntary, it is impossible to hold back on the overflow of tears. So, crying with contact lenses in is always an option if you are extra careful not to harm yourself.

  5. What happens if you cry with contacts in?
  6. If you cry with contact lenses in, it will most probably lead to blurred vision as mucus and other dirt particles surface on the lenses making it difficult to see through clearly.

  7. What to do after crying with contacts?
  8. It is recommended that you clean your contacts properly after a cry session to prevent any bacteria or debris that might have rolled in through water from causing infections.

  9. Can you wear your lenses again after crying with contacts in?
  10. You need to properly clean your contacts before inserting them again. If you feel fine, there is absolutely no harm in wearing them again but if your eyes feel stingy, irritated or puffy, avoid aggravating it further.

    Bausch+Lomb offers stellar range of contact lens solution and lenscare that kills germs and locks moisture while concentrating on your sensitivity to such solutions. The BioTrue® and Renu® range of lens solutions work best for maintaining contact lens hygiene. With so many options, your crying sessions can be stress-free, and you can pour your heart out all you want. Browse through our products today and get your free trial on contact lenses.

Sources:
[1] https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/facts-about-tears


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