Changes in the tarsal conjunctiva viewed by in vivo confocal microscopy are associated with ocular symptoms and contact lens wear.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of soft contact lens (CL) wear on the morphology of the epithelial-lamina propria junction as well as the possible association with symptoms of discomfort.

Methods: Ninety-two subjects were recruited, including 60 soft CL wearers, 16 previous wearers, and 16 non-wearers. Additionally, subjects were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic using the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire 8 for the CL wearers (a score ≥ 12 was considered symptomatic) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 for the previous wearers and non-wearers (a score ≥ 5 was considered symptomatic).

Neutrophils cause obstruction of eyelid sebaceous glands in inflammatory eye disease in mice.

Meibomian glands (MGs) are sebaceous glands of the eyelid margin that secrete lipids needed to avert tear evaporation and to help maintain ocular surface homeostasis. Obstruction of MGs or other forms of MG dysfunction can promote chronic diseases of the ocular surface. Although chronic eyelid inflammation, such as allergic eye disease, is an associated risk factor for obstructive MG dysfunction, it is not clear whether inflammatory processes contribute to the pathophysiology of MG obstruction.

Influence of Meibomian Gland Expression Methods on Human Lipid Analysis Results.

Purpose: To compare the lipid composition of human meibum across three different meibum expression techniques.

Methods: Meibum was collected from five healthy non-contact lens wearers (aged 20-35 years) after cleaning the eyelid margin using three meibum expression methods: cotton buds (CB), meibomian gland evaluator (MGE) and meibomian gland forceps (MGF). Meibum was also collected using cotton buds without cleaning the eyelid margin (CBn).

Intersubject and Interday Variability in Human Tear and Meibum Lipidomes: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Our aim was to quantitate day-to-day changes in the tear and meibum lipid profile of individual subjects in a pilot study of healthy humans.

Methods: Matched tear and meibum samples were obtained from four subjects on three consecutive days. Quantitative lipid profiles of human basal tears and meibum were compared using multivariate analysis by principal components.

A comparison of patient matched meibum and tear lipidomes.

Purpose: To quantify the molecular lipid composition of patient-matched tear and meibum samples and compare tear and meibum lipid molecular profiles.

Methods: Lipids were extracted from tears and meibum by bi-phasic methods using 10:3 tert-butyl methyl ether:methanol, washed with aqueous ammonium acetate, and analyzed by chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Targeted precursor ion and neutral loss scans identified individual molecular lipids and quantification was obtained by comparison to internal standards in each lipid class.