Meibomian gland meibum lipids (Meibum)

Meibomian gland meibum lipids, or meibum, are a complex mixture of non-polar and polar lipids secreted by the meibomian glands in the eyelids (Knop et al., 2011). These lipids form the outermost layer of the tear film, which is essential for reducing the evaporation of the underlying aqueous layer and providing a smooth optical surface for clear vision (Green-Church et al., 2011). In conditions like Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the composition or delivery of these lipids is altered, leading to tear film instability and evaporative dry eye (Nelson et al., 2011). Therapeutic strategies often focus on supplementing these lipids or improving their secretion and quality to restore ocular surface homeostasis. For instance, perfluorohexyloctane is a semi-fluorinated alkane that acts as a surrogate for meibum, effectively reducing evaporation and improving symptoms in patients with MGD (Butts et al., 2023). Other pharmacological approaches involve using antibiotics like doxycycline to inhibit bacterial lipases that degrade meibum, thereby improving the lipid layer's integrity (Liu et al., 2017).

Other names

Meibomian lipidsTear film lipid layerTFLLMeibomian gland secretions

Direct supplementation and stabilization of the tear film lipid layer to reduce aqueous evaporation (Butts et al., 2023); inhibition of bacterial lipases to prevent meibum degradation (Liu et al., 2017).