Why Do We Cry? The Science of Crying
Published by on November 1, 2016
A recent study found women cry 30-64 times a year, whereas men cry 6-17 times per year, according to Dr. Vingerhoets, a clinical psychologist at Tilburg University. Clearly crying is a prominent and important human behavior. But why do we cry? And what role do tears play in our overall eye health? Kugler Vision in Omaha, NE will help answer your questions about the science of crying.
Crying is one of the most unique and perplexing of all human behaviors. It is in fact the only physiological function that is unique to humans. New research by psychologists is beginning to answer these questions to help us better understand what human tears mean from social, psychological, and neuroscientific perspectives. Tears are complex, and we shed three different kinds.
The 3 Kinds of Tears We Shed
Basal Tears: Basal tears serve to protect, nourish, and lubricate our eyes. These tears are chemically different from the other two types of tears. Basal tears are being produced constantly. They protect our eyes by keeping dirt and debris away, and are made up of three layers. The first is a mucus layer that keeps tears fastened to the eye. Next is the aqueous layer, designed to lock in hydration and keep out invasive bacteria. Lastly, there’s the outer lipid layer, which keeps the surface of our eyes smooth.
Reflex Tears: Reflex tears appear in large quantity to protect our eyes from irritants such as wind, cold, smoke, and foreign bodies. One example of when reflex tears occur is when cutting an onion. Reflex tears wash away harmful substances, they are released in large amounts, and have an aqueous layer that contains antibodies to block microorganisms.
Emotional Tears: Emotional tears are the most mysterious kind. Emotional tears are entirely unique to humans. We still don’t know exactly why we emotionally cry but a series of research studies have resulted in various theories. Many studies have been done exploring the cause and purpose of humans’ emotional tears. A study by Vassar College suggests that tears develop as a silent signaling system to let others respond to us when we are vulnerable without alerting predators. Another theory is that emotional tears “elicit compassion”, which helps build strong communities by evoking empathy, therefore facilitating the creation of close relationships– a necessary function when living in our complex society.
So, the next time you blubber like a baby over a Hallmark commercial, don’t be embarrassed. You now know that when your eyes begin to well up it just reflects an intricate system that makes you human. However, what if you aren’t producing enough tears? Why are you experiencing dry eyes?
Not Producing Enough Tears?
As stated before, tears also play an important role in keeping our eyes healthy. Do you suffer from dry eyes? Dry Eye Syndrome is a lack of tear production needed to properly lubricate the eye. The natural, basal tears you produce provide both a protective barrier and the adequate moisture needed to maintain comfort and clear vision. Simply put, when you don’t have enough tears to keep your eyes moist, they become dry, and you will experience discomfort and the following Dry Eye symptoms:
- general eye irritation
- stinging or burning
- scratchiness/itchiness
- fluctuating vision changes
- tearing up when trying to focus heavily – such as reading, driving, or playing sports
- difficulty wearing contact lenses
- foreign body feeling
- tired eyes, such as after prolonged computer use
Find Relief To Dry Eyes
Tears are essential for keeping our eyes healthy. Without the appropriate levels of lubrication, our eyes cannot function properly. At Kugler Vision, we specialize in all of the latest dry eye evaluation and treatment options. If you are seeking relief for dry eye contact us! Call us today at 402.558.2211 to schedule your dry eye consultation.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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