Certain events can move you to tears, whether it’s a sad movie, news of a recent death, or chopping onions. There are many different purposes to your tears, which is why your eyes can produce anywhere from sixty to a hundred liters per year. Tears are extremely useful. They help you see clearly. They wash debris from your eyes. And they communicate all kinds of feelings. But did you know that not every tear is made up of the same components?

There are many different reasons why your eyes well up and sometimes spill over with tears. There are also different types of tears, each with a distinct composition. We cry to protect our eyes, to wash out irritants, and for emotional reasons. There are three types of tears: basal tears, emotional tears, and reflex tears.