Why are tears important to the cornea?
![best-of-berks-2022 best-of-berks-2022](https://www.eyeconsultantsofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/best-of-berks-2022.png)
Voted Best of Berks—
eight years in a row!
![why-are-tears-so-important-to-the-cornea-1024x512 why-are-tears-so-important-to-the-cornea-1024x512](https://www.eyeconsultantsofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/why-are-tears-so-important-to-the-cornea-1024x512-1-panorama-67c9272520c64cd85f1eac69d08128f4-t3per7g2lkqu.jpg)
Every time we blink, tears are distributed across the cornea to keep the eye moist, help wounds heal, and protect against infection. Tears form in three layers:
- An outer, oily (lipid) layer that keeps tears from evaporating too quickly and helps tears remain on the eye;
- A middle (aqueous) layer that nourishes the cornea and the conjunctiva – the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and the inside of the eyelids;
- A bottom (mucin) layer that helps spread the aqueous layer across the eye to ensure that the eye remains wet.
Find a Doctor
Physician information including education, training, practice location and more.
Schedule an Appointment
Call 800-762-7132 or make an appointment online.