Meibomian gland characteristics in children: A narrative review

Abstract

Purpose: Despite extensive research on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in adults, studies on paediatric populations remain limited. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the morphological characteristics of meibomian glands (MGs) in healthy children, focusing on identifying baseline features and factors influencing gland structure and function. Understanding these characteristics is critical for early detection of MGD, which can lead to ocular surface disorders such as dry eye disease (DED). By addressing the existing knowledge gap in paediatric populations, this review seeks to inform clinical practice and guide future research in paediatric ocular health.

Recent findings: The analysis included 35 studies assessing MG characteristics using infrared meibography in children. MG loss was reported using various methods, including meiboscore, meiboscale and percentage of area loss. Significant MG loss was noted in healthy, asymptomatic children. Variability in grading methods, imaging techniques and participant demographics revealed inconsistent trends in MG loss between the upper and lower eyelids. MG tortuosity was observed in healthy children but inconsistently defined and quantified across studies. Notable associations were found between MG abnormalities and systemic conditions such as juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and diabetes mellitus. Dietary factors, body mass index and screen time were identified as potential influencers of MG morphology.

Summary: MG loss and tortuosity are observed in children, but their significance remains unclear. These changes may represent normal variations or indicate a potential progression to MGD and DED. To better understand this, standardised assessment tools and longitudinal studies in the paediatric population are needed to determine which MG changes might lead to MGD. Additionally, exploring the relationship between MG characteristics, systemic health and lifestyle factors, such as screen time and diet, could help identify potential long-term effects. Gaining insights into these factors may improve early detection of the pathological changes that contribute to DED.

Keywords: children; dry eye; meibography; meibomian gland dysfunction.