Meibomian glands are long sebaceous glands embedded in the tarsal plates, about 25-40 in the upper lid and 20-30 in the lower. They open in a row just behind the lashes on the lid margin. Their oily secretion, meibum, forms the outer lipid layer of the tear film.
| Location | Within the tarsal plates of the upper and lower eyelids |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic fibres; regulated also by hormones |
| Blood Supply | Palpebral arcades |
Secrete oily meibum that slows tear evaporation and stops tears spilling over the lid margin.
Meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause of evaporative dry eye. Treatments include warm compresses, lid hygiene, gland expression and sometimes oral tetracyclines. A recurrent lump in the same place, especially in older adults, should be biopsied to exclude sebaceous gland carcinoma.
A firm, painless lump in the lid from a blocked meibomian gland with surrounding granulomatous inflammation. Most resolve with warm compresses.
Thickened or reduced meibum causing tear evaporation, burning and fluctuating vision. It is common with rosacea.
An acute painful bacterial infection of a meibomian gland, usually from Staphylococcus aureus.
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