Final answer:
The lacrimal glands produce tears to moisten and clear the eyes of dust and particles, assisted by structures like the lacrimal puncta and lacrimal sac. Eyelashes and other features also contribute to the protection of the eye.
Step-by-step explanation:
The glands responsible for producing tears to keep the eyeballs moist and clear of dust and other particles are called the lacrimal glands. Located superior and lateral to the eyeball inside the orbit, these glands secrete tears that flow over the eye surface, including the conjunctiva, which is a mucous membrane that covers the sclera (the white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids. The tears help to wash away foreign particles and provide moisture, keeping the eye comfortable and clear. Additionally, tears flow through the lacrimal puncta, which are small openings located on the inside edges of the upper and lower eyelids near the nose, and continue through the lacrimal ducts to the lacrimal sac, which serves as a reservoir before the tears drain into the nasal cavity.
Just as other hair, such as nose hair, acts as a filter for particles, eyelashes also shield the eyes from dust and sunlight, offering additional protection. The overall health and function of the eye are supported by different components and structures working together, such as the lacrimal apparatus for tear production and drainage, and the conjunctiva which maintains a certain level of normal microbiota that defends against pathogens.