Ophthalmologist Explains Case of Girl with ‘Crystal’ Tears

A 22-year-old resident of Armenia, Saténik Ghazaryan, who lives in the village of Spandaryan in the Artik region, has begun to cry tears made of crystals. Ophthalmologist Tatyana Shilova assures that while the case is rare, it is not unique.

According to Shilova, crystals in tears can appear due to genetic or infectious diseases. “Tears contain proteins, fats, and certain microelements, and they have a specific ionic composition. When the salts in them are at high concentrations, they can cause the crystallization process to accelerate. The proteins in the tears can also increase their density,” the ophthalmologist explained.

When drying, the liquid substrate transforms into a solid body, which can damage the outer surface of the eye. To determine the cause, it is necessary to examine the patient and analyze the crystals themselves. The specialist noted that metabolic disorders can also lead to the formation of crystals. In such cases, crystals can develop in the liver and kidneys, depositing in organs as salts. This is a dangerous condition that requires thorough investigation.