Reflex tears are of a different consistency and quantity than the basal tears which normally coat the corneal epithelium. They do not have the balanced components that basal tears do and their purpose is to flood the eye in response to a foreign body or irritant.
Severe surface dryness can stimulate reflex tears, which is why watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eye (paradoxical though it sounds). The reflex tears do not have the ability to properly lubricate the surface of the eye - which requires tear components that help adhesion of tears to the eye - so merely having lots of reflex tears does not improve the dry condition of the eye. |
