Meibomian gland

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The Meibomian glands (often written with a small m, and also called tarsal glands) are a holocrine type of exocrine glands, at the rim of the eyelids inside the tarsal plate, responsible for the supply of meibum, an oily substance that prevents evaporation of the eye's tear film. Meibum prevents tear spillage onto the cheek, trapping tears between the oiled edge and the eyeball, and makes the closed lids airtight. There are approximately 50 glands on the upper eyelids and 25 glands on the lower eyelids.

Dysfunctional meibomian glands often cause dry eyes, one of the more common eye conditions. They may also contribute to blepharitis.

The glands are named after Heinrich Meibom (1638-1700), a German physician.

Video Meibomian gland

Function

Meibum

Lipids

Lipids are the major components of meibum (also known as "meibomian gland secretions"). The term "meibum" was originally introduced by Nicolaides et al. in 1981.

The biochemical composition of meibum is extremely complex and very different from that of sebum. Lipids are universally recognized as major components of human and animal meibum. Recently, an update on the composition of human meibum and on the structures of various positively identified meibomian lipids was published.

Currently, the most sensitive and informative approach to lipidomic analysis of meibum is mass spectrometry either with direct infusion or in combination with liquid chromatography.

Proteins

In humans, more than 90 different proteins have been identified in meibomian gland secretions.

Maps Meibomian gland

Clinical significance

Dysfunctional meibomian glands often cause dry eyes, one of the more common eye conditions. They may also contribute to blepharitis. Inflammation of the meibomian glands (also known as meibomitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, or posterior blepharitis) causes the glands to be obstructed by thick waxy secretions. Besides leading to dry eyes, the obstructions can be degraded by bacterial lipases, resulting in the formation of free fatty acids, which irritate the eyes and sometimes cause punctate keratopathy.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is more often seen in women and is regarded as the main cause of dry eye disease. Factors that contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction can include things such as a person's age and/or hormones or severe infestation of Demodex brevis mite. Treatment can include warm compresses or expression of the gland by a professional. Lifitegrast and Restasis are topical medication commonly used to control the inflammation and improve the oil quality. In some cases topical steroids and topical/oral antibiotics are also prescribed reduce inflammation. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments have also been shown to reduce inflammation and improve the gland function in patients. Meibomian gland probing is also used on patients which experience deep clogging of the glands.

Meibomian gland dysfunction may be caused by some prescription medications, notably isotretinoin.

src: genevaeye.com

See also

• List of specialized glands within the human integumentary system
• Chalazion

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References

src: webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu

External links

• synd/541 at Who Named It?
• Rethinking Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: How to Spot It, Stage It and Treat It

Source of article : Wikipedia