What is a primary function of Aqueous Tears in the human eye?

Aqueous tears serve multiple essential functions within the human eye, which is why the correct answer encompasses all of the provided choices.

Firstly, they provide nourishment to the avascular structures of the eye, such as the cornea, which lacks its own blood supply. The nutrients dissolved in the aqueous layer of tears help keep these tissues healthy and functioning properly.

Secondly, while aqueous tears don't directly correct vision in the way lenses do, they play a critical role in maintaining a smooth optical surface on the cornea, which is vital for clear vision. This helps ensure that light is properly refracted and focused onto the retina.

Finally, tears also contain various antimicrobial proteins and immune components that help protect the eyes from infections by flushing away debris and pathogens, thereby contributing to the eye's overall defense mechanisms.

By fulfilling these various roles—nourishment, support for vision, and infection protection—aqueous tears are critical to maintaining eye health and function, making the choice that includes all these aspects the most accurate.