Meibomian gland

The meibomian glands (also tarsal glands , Latin glandulae tarsales ) are sebum glands on the edge of the eyelids . They are named after Heinrich Meibom (1638–1700), a doctor and anatomist from Helmstedt .

A pulled-down lower eyelid (ectropioning) the white arrow marks the teardrop (punctum lacrimale); the Meibomian glands open out as yellowish, granular points along the cartilaginous lid margin turned outwards (tarsal plate)

The glands end at the edge of the tarsal plate of the eyelid, unlike the Zeisian and Mollian glands , which are also located in the eyelid. The meibomian glands give off an oily liquid that mixes with the tear fluid given off by the lacrimal glands and ensures that the latter does not evaporate too quickly. The dried secretion of these glands is popularly referred to as " sleeping sand ".

Diseases

A restricted or missing function (possibly genetic) of the meibomian glands therefore leads to dry eyes , because the stabilization of the tear fluid by the lipids of the glands is then reduced. Chronic inflammation of the eyelid ( blepharitis ) can also be a complication . Frequent moistening of the eyes with eye drops ("artificial tears") and daily rinsing of the eyes with z. B. lightly salted, clean water (with the help of a small plastic bowl, a so-called eye bath ) provides relief.

An acute inflammation of the Meibomian glands with staphylococci can lead to a stye (especially hordeolum internum ). If there is a chronic inflammation, one speaks of a hailstone ( chalazion ). The cause of this is usually a blockage of the gland ducts.

Isotretinoin dysfunction

In 2013, Ding et al. In vitro evidence that the active ingredient isotretinoin , which is mainly used for acne therapy , could have a comparable effect on the meibomian gland as it does on the sebum gland . They found that isotretinoin suppresses cell proliferation , induces cell death and significantly changes the expression of 6726 genes. These effects could be at least partially responsible for the disruption of the meibomian gland function associated with isotretinoin use.

Web links

• Histological specimen of a human eyelid

literature

• Theodor Axenfeld (founder), Hans Pau (ed.): Textbook and atlas of ophthalmology . 12th edition Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart 1980, ISBN 3-437-00255-4 (with the collaboration of Rudolf Sachsenweger and others).
• Christoph Zink (Ed.): Pschyrembel Clinical Dictionary . 256th edition De Gruyter, Berlin 1990, ISBN 3-11-010881-X .

Individual evidence

1. ^ J. Ding, WR Kam: J. Dieckow, DA Sullivan: The influence of 13-cis retinoic acid on human meibomian gland epithelial cells. In: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Jun 26; 54 (6): 4341-50. PMID 23722388 . PMC 3694789 (free full text).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !