An overset grid method for the study of reflex tearing

We present an overset grid method to simulate the evolution of human tear film thickness subject to reflex tearing. The free-surface evolution is governed by a single fourth-order non-linear equation derived from lubrication theory with specified film thickness and volume flux at each end. The model arises from considering the limiting case where the surfactant is strongly affecting the surface tension. In numerical simulations, the overset grid is composed of fine boundary grids near the upper and lower eyelids to capture localized capillary thinning referred to as 'black lines' and a Cartesian grid covers the remaining domain. Numerical studies are performed on a non-linear test problem to confirm the accuracy and convergence of the scheme. The computations on the tear film model show qualitative agreement with in vivo tear film thickness measurements. Furthermore, the role of the black lines in the presence of tear supply from the lid margins, reflex tearing, was found to be more subtle than a barrier to tear fluid flow between the anterior of the eye and the meniscus at the lid margin. During reflex tearing, tears may flow through the region normally containing the black line and drift down over the cornea under the influence of gravity.