Abstract
The function of the meibomian glands is to provide the oil that forms a layer covering the aqueous component of the tear film, thereby preventing excess water evaporation. Should these glands become compromised, an adequate lipid layer may not form over the aqueous portion of the tear film, resulting in increased evaporation and the development of a dry eye condition. This scenario can be experimentally induced by occluding the meibomian gland orifices in the rabbit via cauterization, thereby denying the meibomian oils access to the tear film. Such an experimental paradigm has permitted studies on the role of the oil layer in tear film osmolarity1 and evaporation.2,3 In the latter studies, cauterization resulted in rapid evaporation of the tear film and the conclusion that the meibomian glands were solely responsible for generating the oily layer of the tear film.
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Greiner, J.V. et al. (1998). Effect of Meibomian Gland Occlusion on Tear Film Lipid Layer Thickness. In: Sullivan, D.A., Dartt, D.A., Meneray, M.A. (eds) Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 438. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_49
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_49
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