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Characteristics of goblet cells in the conjunctival epithelium of the lid wiper explain the hydrodynamic type of ocular surface lubrication during the blink
Author(s) -
KNOP N,
KORB DR,
BLACKIE CA,
KNOP E
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.3133.x
Subject(s) - goblet cell , mucin , conjunctiva , histology , epithelium , immunohistochemistry , anatomy , pathology , chemistry , medicine
Purpose The lid wiper at the inner aspect of the posterior eyelid border forms an epithelial lip apposed to the globe for distribution the pre‐ocular tear film. The present assumption of a squamous may not explain sufficient lubrication in order to avoid friction during the blink movement. Methods Conjunctival whole‐mounts including the lid margins from twelve normal human body donors were investigated by routine histology and semithin plastic sections, using histological stains, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for MUC5AC. Results In routine histology the lid wiper showed a conjunctival epithelium with goblet cells, single and in clusters, at the luminal surface and also deep within the epithelium. Semithin sections revealed that the goblet cells at a greater depth were connected to cryptal epithelial infoldings that opened to the surface. Most goblet cells produced mucins of the neutral (PAS) and acidic (Alcian blue) type and also stained positive for the mucin MUC5AC. Surprisingly, MUC5AC negative goblet cells were also observed in the lid wiper. Conclusion In contrast to conventional assumptions, the lid wiper is a part of the conjunctiva and contains goblet cells & goblet cell crypts that are suitable to provide by a hydrodynamic type of lubrication for sufficient reduction of sheer stress between the lid margin and globe during the blink. This is another strong indication that the lid wiper is the area of the lid margin for the distribution of the thin preocular tear film.