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Review
. 2016:2016:7542929.
doi: 10.1155/2016/7542929. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

Review: The Lacrimal Gland and Its Role in Dry Eye

Christopher D Conrady  1 , Zachary P Joos  1 , Bhupendra C K Patel  1
Affiliations
Review

Review: The Lacrimal Gland and Its Role in Dry Eye

Christopher D Conrady et al. J Ophthalmol. 2016.

Abstract

The human tear film is a 3-layered coating of the surface of the eye and a loss, or reduction, in any layer of this film may result in a syndrome of blurry vision and burning pain of the eyes known as dry eye. The lacrimal gland and accessory glands provide multiple components to the tear film, most notably the aqueous. Dysfunction of these glands results in the loss of aqueous and other products required in ocular surface maintenance and health resulting in dry eye and the potential for significant surface pathology. In this paper, we have reviewed products of the lacrimal gland, diseases known to affect the gland, and historical and emerging dry eye therapies targeting lacrimal gland dysfunction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lacrimal gland histopathology. H&E staining of a normal lacrimal gland. The gland is composed of lobules separated by loose connective tissue. The lobules are composed of multiple acini lined by columnar secretory cells.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Oblique view of the right orbit. Oblique view of the right orbit showing the main lacrimal gland divided into the orbital lobe (OL) and palpebral lobe by the lateral horn of the levator aponeurosis (LA). Note the excretory ducts coursing through the palpebral lobe and draining into the superior conjunctival fornix (arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sagittal view of the upper and lower eyelids. The glands of Krause (arrow) are located in the superior conjunctival fornix. The glands of Wolfring (arrowhead) are found at the nonmarginal border of the tarsal plate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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