What Are Tear Ducts?
Our eyes are continually exposed to dust, bacteria, viruses, and other objects that could cause damage. The eyelids and eyelashes play a key role in preventing these objects from entering our eyes and hurting them. But besides serving as barriers, the lids and lashes also help our eyes stay moist. Without moisture, our corneas, which serve as protective domes for the front of the eyes, would dry out and could become cloudy or injured. Working with our lids and lashes, the protective system of glands and ducts called the lacrimal system keeps our eyes from drying out. Small glands at the edge of the eyelid produce an oily film that mixes with the liquid part of our tears and keeps them from evaporating. Lacrimal (or tear-producing) glands secrete the watery part of tears. These glands are located under the brow bone behind the upper eyelid, at the edge of the eye socket, and in the lids. Eyelids move tears across the eyes. Tears keep the eyes lubricated and clean and contain antibodies
