Rainbow colors in the tear film indicate that it is rich with lipids that are required to keep the aqueous portion of the tears from evaporating too quickly [Source: TearScience]
What does this mean? Simple: Presence of the rainbow colors indicates the oily film is preventing water in the tear fluids from escaping into air, so the eyes stay moist. On the other hand, lack of this protection leads to a common form of dry eye.
13 comments:
I have seen this in my baby's eye while feeding her and watching her eyes during the daylight. So from what you wrote, I suppose that this kind of oily and rainbow-like look of the tearfilm is normal?
If her eyes are otherwise white and quiet (meaning no signs of inflammation/infection), then yes.
Thanks for your quick reply. Ya otherwise everything is normal, no inflamnation or infection. Are baby's more likely to have this, or is it just that maybe I have never looked that close into somebody's eye :)
This is seen in normal healthy eyes, both young and old, usually through a slit-lamp so no staring into other people's eyes is involved.
Sorry again, now you made me worry. But it still is normal that I see it in her eyes during daylight and without the slit-lamp?
Bye the way, it appears only when I look from a certain angle. Not all the time.
Relax, your baby must have big beautiful eyes hence easier for you to see the rainbow. The rainbow indeed can be seen only at a certain angle, 42 degrees from the direction opposite the light source to be exact.
Thank you so much for ur replies :)
My pleasure.
Thank you for the helpful post. I never noticed this with my firstborn, but I do see it in my new daughter's eyes. She's three months old.
All the best to you and your kids
Hello, I was just wondering if these almost like oily stains I see on my eyeball are normal? It looks almost like when gasoline is mixed with water, rainbowish. I've only noticed it recently and it doesn't happen everyday.
That should be the normal oil film over water in tear fluids. Also, tear composition does not remain constant, hence the change.
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