Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:We often see the clinical cases of various ocular surface disorders associated with meibomian gland dysfuction (MGD). Here we compare conjunctival goblet cell numbers in the histologic sections with MGD and those with normal meibomian gland. Methods:Human meibomian glands were obtained at autopsy. Pieces of tarsal plate measuring approximately 3 x 3 mm were excised from the center of upper eyelid as previously described (Cornea 2001; 21: S70–S74). MGD was histologically diagnosed by cystic dilatation of acini and/or ducts under the light microscope. Five specimens with MGD (MGD group, mean age 56 ± 10 years) and five specimens with normal meibomian gland (normal group, mean age 54 ±10 years) were analyzed in this study. Periodic acid–Schiff staining determined the number of goblet cells. The area of tarsal conjunctival epithelium and the number of goblet cells were measured by using video micrometer (VM–50, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), and the number of goblet cells per 0.1mm2 of epithelium in MGD and normal group were compared. Results: The average number of goblet cells in MGD group was 28 ± 9 (± SD) per 0.1mm2 of conjunctival epithelium. In contrast, normal group was 87 ± 37 per 0.1mm2 . The number of conjunctival goblet cells was significantly decreased in MGD group compared with normal group (p= 0.012, Mann–Whitney U test). Conclusions:Conjunctival goblet cell loss in MGD is an important finding and it is speculated that the pathogenesis of MGD may be involved in ocular surface disorders.
Keywords: conjunctiva • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • anatomy