| The Meibomian glands are
sebaceous glands of the posterior lamella of the eyelid
margin that have a unique lipid content consisting of
sterol esters and waxes without the high triglycerides
levels found in sebum. Meibomian gland dysfunction implies and abnormal lipid composition and abnormal secretion of the meibomian glands and may be accompanied by abnormal function of the anterior eyelid margins. Some patients with meibomian gland dysfunction have rosacea or other sebaceous gland disorders. Meibomian gland dysfunction is characterized by enlargement, irregularity, inspissation, and plugging of the meibomian gland orifices. A Thick, yellowish oil can be expressed from individual glands. |
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| Concomitant involvement
of the sebaceous glands of Zeis produces oily
debris(scurf) along the eyelashes. Foam often accumulates
along the lateral lower eyelid margin. Vascular dilation
with telangiectasia may occur, and the eyelid margins may
be thickened and erythematous. Symptomatic patients complain of chronic burning, foreign-body sensation, conjunctival redness, filmy vision, tearing and crusting of the eyelids. Nonspecific changes of the ocular surface are produced by the irritating lipids and secondary tear film abnormalities. Conjunctivitis, and occusionally episcleritis, occur in chronic cases. The cornea may be normal, but it sometimes exhibits punctate epithelial erosions. Marginal subrpithelial infiltrates and a vascularized pannus can occur with servere disease, but this is rare. |
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Meibomian Gland Dysfunction | Staphylococcal Blepharitis | Angular Blepharitis | Hordeolum | Chalazion | Molluscum Contagiosum | Viral Papilloma | Seborrheic Keratosis | Xanthelasma | Basal Cell Carcinoma | Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Sturge-Weber Syndrome | Capillary Hemangioma | Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Eye Lid | Lacrimal System Disorders | Scleral Disease