title: Aging and dry eye disease.
abstract: Dry eye disease is a prevalent eye disorder that in particular affects the elderly population. One of the major causes of dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), shows increased prevalence with aging. MGD is caused by hyperkeratinization of the ductal epithelium of meibomian gland and reduced quantity and/or quality of meibum, the holocrine product that stabilizes and prevents the evaporation of the tear film. Of note, retinoids which are used in current anti-aging cosmetics may promote the development of MGD and dry eye disease. In this review, we will discuss the possible mechanisms of age-related MGD.
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Juan.ding@schepens.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D012176:Retinoids