Hijacked Tears | Mixed Media Project

Tears. For what purpose do they serve? Allowing others to see your vulnerability isn't something one would desire. Or is it? Perhaps it can't be prevented. However, tears serve an important function in our bodies besides the display of emotions.

Foremost, what are tears?

Through research, I discovered that tears play a key role in the health of the eye. Tears are made of three layers, which is also what covers the cornea and are produced in the lacrimal gland.

The three layers are comprised of:

1. Mucus: This is the innermost tear film layer produced by the eye’s outer membrane called the "conjunctiva". Mucus keeps your eyes moist by distributing the layer of water over their surface;

2. Water: This middle tear film layer is where water is produced by the eye’s lacrimal gland. This layer is the bulk portion of each tear. It's an eye-cleaning agent that removes particles from the eye; and

3. Lipid (oil): The outermost tear film layer is where oil is produced by the meibomian glands. The oil creates a smooth surface on tears and acts as a protective barrier that prevents the water layer of tears from drying out and becoming inflamed, thus protecting your corneas from damage. I suffer from dry eyes, so I know the discomfort of inflamed eyes. With medication, the symptoms are relieved for a short period.

As you can see, complex layers exists to aid in the production of three types of tears.

• Reflex
  The eye’s lacrimal gland produces reflex tears, which primarily consist of water. The body makes these tears in response to an external stimulus.
  For example, if a bug flies into your eye, it will produce a reflex tearing to flush it out.

• Basal
  Containing three separate layers, basal tears are complex. The combined layers coat the eye and supply nutrients to its outer structures. Basal tears are what appear when dust, follicles, or debris get in your eyes. They protect the eye from drying out and the cornea from damage. Your eyes constantly shed basal tears, even when you don’t notice.

• Emotional
  This type of tears are the most familiar. Individuals' eyes produce emotional tears when emotion overcomes them. Scientists have found traces of stress chemicals in emotional tears, which could mean crying is a form of stress relief. Other studies suggest that crying stimulates the body’s production of endorphins—the feel-good chemical produced in the brain. Only humans are known to produce emotional tears.

^{Source 1: What Are Tears Made of}

Were it not for tears, you wouldn't have a healthy eyesight. Tears not only help you express emotions but also keep your eyes healthy. The constant moisture provided by tears is essential for eye comfort and clear vision.

I've always wondered exactly what do tears do?

Also through research, I learned that tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, a small gland located above each eyelid. Every time you blink, a film of tears coats your eyes. Some tears evaporate while others eventually exit through tiny drainage channels in the inside corners of your eyes that are connected to your nose.

Tears have several functions. They're required to:

• Moisturize the Eyes. Every time you blink, a layer of tears covers your eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable. These tears, called basal tears, also have an anti-bacterial effect and can help you avoid eye infections;

• Remove Debris. Reflex tears wash away dust and debris that can fall into your eyes. When your eyes sense the presence of a foreign body, tear production accelerates in an attempt to flush out the object. Reflex tears also appear in your eyes when you cough or yawn;

• Provide Clear Vision. The ability to wash away dust and debris removes obstructions that could cloud your vision or scratch your eye is crucial. Eyes also play a role in light focusing, which is an essential component of clear vision; and finally,

• Help You Show Emotion. Tears start to flow whether a person is happy, sad, or in pain. Crying sheds hormones that make you feel stressed, while also triggering the production of endorphins. These hormones assist in improving your mood.

How Lack of Tears Can Affect Your Vision

Lack of moisture causes a condition called dry eye. You may develop dry eye if you don't produce enough tears or your tears drain or evaporate too quickly.

I've struggled with dry eye syndrome for years and have rubbed, pulled, and constantly have my hand on my eyelids in an attempt to ease the pain or scratchiness. It's not a pleasant experience feeling as though your eyes are covered in dirt particles.

^{Source 2: How Your Tears Work and Their Importance for Vision}

For my current mixed media project, I retrieved a lovely abstract image depicting two females who are shedding colorful tears. Since the image is already colorful, I decided not to add too many additional elements, just enhance the eyes that are the focal point that are shedding tears. Below are my steps in which I utilized one of the stable diffusion programs I prefer, StarryAI.

The text description I used was for another project, but worked well for this design in that I wanted to capture memories of an art gallery that led to excitement and at the same time nostalgia.

The flaming orange and yellow hair on the females and soft pink are visually stunning in my opinion. However, the makeup on the eyes that gives the effect of colorful eyelashes brings the eyes into prominence. The alabaster quality of the faces with red and blue lipstick enhances the facial features.

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