Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate potential relationship between lid margin rete ridges (RR) and meibomian gland (MG) external duct wall.
Methods :
Retrospective volume evaluations of upper lid margin confocal microscopy (CFM) at 2 micron depth intervals down to 120 um depth to evaluate spatial relationships between above structures. Eight glands from eight lids of eight patients (M:F = 1:7) whose average age was 51.1 (range 26-74 years) were evaluated.
Results :
Each confocal evaluation demonstrated typically round RR in peri-orifice position undergoing morphologic differentiation with progressive depth characterized by ovalization and flattening. The dermal – epidermal basement membrane of the RR differentiates into the MG extermal duct wall while the epithelial cell projections of the RR become the basal epithelial layer.
Conclusions :
Rete Ridge examination using volume CFM indicates a role of these structures in the development of the MG external duct wall and basal epithelium. As the RR is known to provide stem cell activity in skin, this finding strongly suggests the RR is likely to provide similar activity for MG.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.