Meibomian Glands and Dry Eye

Dry eye post-LASIK is a very complex entity. Tears are complex, consisting of three layers: At the bottom is a mucin layer, which helps tears adhere to the cornea. At top is an oily layer that helps prevent evaporation. In between is an aqueous layer, the actual watery component of tears.

Meibomian glands line the inner surface of the upper lid, and secrete the oily layer. If these glands don't exist, then some part of the tear film may not be "protected" against evaporate, inducing quicker tear break up times.

In the image below, the top lid shows a normal, banded pattern of meibomian gland distribution. The lower lid shows atrophy of the glands.

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"People who say it can't be done
shouldn't interrupt the guy doing it."
-- Roger D. Davis, PhD

Dr. Boshnick on CBS This Morning


See Dr. Boshnick and Dr. Morris Waxler (former FDA chief research scientist on refractive surgery) talk about bad LASIK