The lacrimal gland produces tears to protect and lubricate the eye, and has functions such as supplying the cornea with nutrients and preventing infection. Inflammation, infection, and tumors can affect the gland, but proper eye hygiene and medical attention can prevent problems.
The lacrimal gland is a gland that produces one of the components of tears. It is a lobed gland located on the outer side of each eye. These glands produce the watery part of tears, which consists of fluid, salts, proteins, and lysozyme. Tears are produced constantly to protect and lubricate the eye, but when more tears are needed to clean substances from the eye or when crying, the lacrimal gland produces the majority of these tears.
The main functions of tears include supplying the cornea with oxygen and other necessary nutrients, transporting waste products from the cornea, preventing corneal infection, and maintaining adequate levels of saline on the cornea to protect the eye and preserve vision. If the cornea becomes too dry or too wet, vision can be impaired, causing nearsightedness or farsightedness. These changes are usually situational and temporary, but long-term malfunction of the tear gland can lead to chronic conditions such as dry eye.
Other problems with the tear glands include inflammation, infection, or tumors developing in the glands. Swelling in these glands can occur as a side effect of other problems such as Epstein-Barr syndrome or mumps, or it can occur due to a bacterial or viral infection. It’s usually temporary, but chronic tear inflammation can be a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, or other serious conditions.
Tear gland infection can lead to eye problems due to reduced tear production. Any swelling in the eye area should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Most infections in these glands can be treated with antibiotics and are a temporary condition, although they can be painful and uncomfortable.
Another rarer event is a tear gland tumor. These tumors can be benign or malignant, although a malignant tumor in this area is very rare. Cancers occur most commonly in older people, although they are also found in adolescent patients, with a slightly higher rate than in the general population. In some cases, the tumors are quite small, causing only a slight swelling in the outer eyelid. Other tumors cause severe drooping of the eyelid, sometimes even interfering with vision.
To prevent problems with the lacrimal gland, you should maintain proper eye hygiene and protect your eyes from foreign materials. A doctor or ophthalmologist should be consulted if there are any signs of swelling or discomfort along the outer edge of the eyelid. Using eye drops can help keep the eye properly lubricated and moist in dry climates and help protect the eye and tear glands.
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