The lipid layer of tears: dependent on meibomian gland function.
There is growing laboratory and clinical evidence implicating the meibomian glands of the eyelid as playing a critical role in the pathogenesis of various ocular surface disorders such as chronic blepharitis and dry eye. Meibomian glands produce a lipid material whose synthesis is dependent on factors such as stem cells, neurological stimulants and hormones. This lipid material is fluid, spreads easily, is a surfactant as well as an aqueous barrier, and must remain functional after a blink. Before delivery it can be modified by factors such as hormone abnormalities and even after delivery it may be modified by lipases produced by ocular bacteria.
McCulley
James P
JP
Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9057, USA. james.mcculley@utsouthwestern.edu
Shine
Ward E
WE
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000502:physiology*; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology*
D008055:Lipids