• Question: Do our eyes clean themselves when we sleep, how?

    Asked by hannahhhhh to Ben, Dave, Ed, Sam, Susana on 24 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Sam Horrell

      Sam Horrell answered on 24 Jun 2013:

      Our eyes clean and lubricate themselves everytime we blink using the tears what we produce.

      There are 3 types of tears. Basal tears contain water, mucin, lipids, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lipocalin, lacritin, immunoglobulins, glucose, urea, sodium, and potassium (proteins, salts and fats to help clean, lubricate and fight infection in the eye). These are the tears when you blink.

      The second are reflex tears which happen when you get something in your eye. Sort of extra protection.

      The third are psychic tears which happen during heightened emotion so happy, sad angry etc. These have a different chemical make up and contain hormoes and even some natural pain killers. Not really sure why.

    • Photo: Benjamin Hall

      Benjamin Hall answered on 24 Jun 2013:

      Yes, your eyes are always keeping themselves clean using tears.

    • Photo: David Briggs

      David Briggs answered on 24 Jun 2013:

      They do – during sleep, or every time we blink, our eyes are washed with tears – which contain all sorts of different chemicals and proteins (see Sam’s answer) which can clean and disinfect our eyes.

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