Meibomian Gland Physiology in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women.
The purpose of this study was to assess the change of meibomian gland physiology during the menstrual cycle and compare its physiology among pre- and postmenopausal women and men.



This study involved 18 healthy subjects: 6 premenopausal women with a regular 28- to 30-day menstrual cycle, 6 postmenopausal women, and 6 men who were age-matched to the premenopausal women. All subjects measured basal body temperature every day at home and were seen once weekly for 5 weeks, and the menstrual state of the premenopausal subjects was masked until after the investigation. At each visit, the meibomian gland orifice (MGO) diameter, lid margin meibum level as meibometry value, meibomian gland morphology, and fluorescein breakup time (F-BUT) of tear film were evaluated, and serum samples were obtained for analysis of sex steroid hormones.



The meibomian gland physiology showed cyclic change during the menstrual cycle. The MGO diameter and meibometry value of the meibomian glands decreased in the latter half of the luteal phase until menstruation, correlating well with a shortening of F-BUT. The MGO diameter and meibometry value were significantly higher in postmenopausal women and men than in premenopausal women; however, F-BUT was significantly longer in men than in pre-/postmenopausal women.



The findings of this study show that meibomian glands exhibit a cyclic change in premenopausal women, as well as sex- and age-related physiologic differences.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan 2Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto City Hospital Organization, Kyoto, Japan.
Tomo
T
Suzuki
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan 2Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto City Hospital Organization, Kyoto, Japan.
Yasuaki
Y
Minami
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Aoi
A
Komuro
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Norihiko
N
Yokoi
Department of Frontier Medical Science and Technology for Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Shigeru
S
Kinoshita
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D019793:Fluorescein