Chapter 7: Tear Film Flashcards
What is the primary function of the tear film?
- provide a smooth optical surface @ air-cornea interface
- mediun for debris removal
- protect ocular surface
- contains antimicrobial agents
- lubricates cornea-eyelid interface
- prevents dessication of ocular surface
Where does the marginal tear strip cover? The precorneal tear film? The conjunctival tear film?
Marginal tear film= tear meniscus
Pre-Corneal tear film covers exposed bulbar conjunctiva and cornea, and is trilaminar
conjunctival film covers b/c eyelids and bulbar conjunctiva
What are the three layers of the pre-corneal tear film?
Outer lipid layer
Middle Aqueous layer
Inner mucin layer
What are the functions of the outer lipid layer?
- slow tear evaporation
- contribute to optical properties at air-cornea interface
- Increase surface tension via maintenance of a hydrophobic barrier, preventing tear overflow
- prevent damage to eyelid margin skin by tears
How thick is the outer lipid layer of precorneal tear film?
about 100 molecules thick
How many glands produce the lipid layer? Where are they located?
Glands are located in the tarsal plates of the upper and lower lid.
Upper lid= 30-40 orifices
Lower Lid= 20-30 orifices
Where do the meibomian glands of the tarsal plates open to?
they open onto the skin of the eyelid margin, b/w the tarsal grey line and mucocutaneous junction
What is the innervation of the meibomian glands?
Parasympathetics (main source; cholinesterase, vip)
Sympathetics
Sensory
Neuropeptide Y
Why are tear lipids not susceptible to lipid peroxidation?
They are not susceptible to lipid peroxidation because they contain extremely low amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids
What are the functions of the aqueous layer of the pre corneal tear film?
- supply 02 to avascular corneal epithelium
- maintain constant electrolyte concentration
- Antibacterial/Antiviral defenses
- smooth minute irregularities
- wash away debris
- modulate corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell fx
What cells secrete the aqueous layer? What does the aqueous layer consist of?
The main and accessory lacrimal glands (Krause and wolfing)
Consists of electrolytes, H2O, proteins, and a variety of solutes
How much do the glands of Krause contribute to the aqueous layer? Where are they located?
They contribute 2/3 of the product of the accessory lacrimal glands. They are located in the lateral portion of the upper fornix (some also present in the lower fornix as well)
How much do the glands of Wolffring contribute to the aqueous later? Where are they located?
1/3 of total accessory lacrimal gland production. They are located on the proximal margin of each tarsus.
What is the innervation of the main lacrimal gland?
Parasympathetics (Main innervation; ACh and VIP)
Sympathetics (NE and NPY)
Sensory (Substance P and CGRP)
What are the electrolyte concentrations of the aqueous layer compared to serum?
Na+- equivalent to serum
K+- 5-7x greater than serum value
HCO3- regulates tear pH