Chemical analysis of the letters of the legendary historical figure Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the fictional vampire Dracula, suggest he may have cried tears of blood, meaning that he probably had a condition called haemolacria. With various causes, from conjunctiva damage to a bloody nose, the rare condition is usually not a cause for concern. However, it can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition, so bloody tears should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Intrigued? Click on to learn how blood in the tears can occur, and how it may be treated.