Morphologic variants of Meibomian glands: age-wise distribution and differences between upper and lower eyelids

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the distribution of various Meibomian gland morphologies across different age groups in healthy individuals.MethodsThe infrared meibographic morphologies of the Meibomian glands from the upper and lower eyelids of 236 healthy individuals (472 eyes; mean age 38.4 ± 17.5 years; 80 female participants: 156 male participants) were evaluated for their prevalence and differences across six decades of life, from 10 to 80 years. A linear mixed-effects modeling test was performed for statistical analysis.ResultsOf 14,452 glands, 8,830 (61%) glands were located in the upper eyelid. No significant differences in frequency were noted between different age groups for distorted, tortuous, hooked, overlapping, abnormal gap, fluffy areas, dropout (except for 51–60 vs. 10–20 years, P = 0.023), and thick and thin morphologies. Short glands were significantly more common in individuals aged over 30 years (P = 0.015), whereas moderately short and severely short glands were more common in the upper eyelids of individuals older than 50 years compared to those aged 10–20 years (P = 0.035). The frequency of distorted, hooked, tortuous, overlapping, and tadpole-shaped Meibomian glands was significantly higher in the upper eyelids than in the lower eyelids for all age groups. Dropout glands were more common in the lower eyelids of individuals younger than 50 years, but no difference was observed in the upper and lower eyelids of individuals over 50 years. Dropout (P = 0.006) and severely short glands (0.026) of the lower eyelid were associated with low non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) values.ConclusionVarious morphologic characteristics of the Meibomian glands that are considered abnormal can be present in healthy individuals, and only moderate to severely short glands display an increase in abnormal morphologic characteristics of the Meibomian glands with age.

Factors affecting meibomian gland area loss in symptomatic adults

“…Common symptoms of MGL include dryness, foreign-body sensation, itchy eyes, and blurred vision. Previous studies have found a strong correlation between the MGL area and the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire score, proposing that MGL of more than 32% can be considered a dry eye-related symptom [19][20] . This study found that the incidence of increased ocular secretion significantly differed among the four area loss groups and that the incidence of ocular secretion significantly increased as the area loss degree increased.…”

Complex therapy of the evaporative form of dry eye syndrome in patients after keratorefractive surgery

“…3). Варианты морфологических изменений мейбомиевых желез, определяемые с помощью мейбографии[40] Different meibomian gland morphologies detected on meibography[40] Примечание. Белыми стрелками показаны соответствующие изменения.…”

Meibomian Gland Shortening Is Associated With Altered Meibum Composition

“…There are approximately 30 to 40 glands located in the upper eyelid with a length of approximately 5.5 mm and 20 to 30 glands in the lower eyelid with a length of approximately 2 mm to 4 mm. Significant gland shortening has been observed in individuals aged 30 years and above, 8 , 9 and gland shortening has also been associated with dry eye disease. 10 , 11 These glands are formed by multiple acini, comprised of meibocytes which terminally differentiate to produce meibum.…”