Posterior blepharitis primarily involves which eyelid gland?

Posterior blepharitis primarily involves which eyelid gland?

• A. Lash follicles.
• B. Gland of Wolfring.
• C. Meibomian glands.
• D. Conjunctival goblet cells.

Answer: (C)

Posterior blepharitis involves the Meibomian glands, the oil-secreting glands embedded in the tarsal plate along the inner eyelid margin. They produce meibum, the lipid layer of the tear film that prevents evaporation. When these glands are inflamed or blocked (meibomian gland dysfunction), the tear film becomes unstable and evaporates more quickly, causing irritation, burning, and lid-tar margin symptoms. This site and function distinguish it from anterior blepharitis, which affects lash follicles and glands at the lid margin. Goblet cells are conjunctival mucin producers and are not the primary issue here, and glands like Wolfring are accessory glands not chiefly responsible for posterior blepharitis.

Posterior blepharitis involves the Meibomian glands, the oil-secreting glands embedded in the tarsal plate along the inner eyelid margin. They produce meibum, the lipid layer of the tear film that prevents evaporation. When these glands are inflamed or blocked (meibomian gland dysfunction), the tear film becomes unstable and evaporates more quickly, causing irritation, burning, and lid-tar margin symptoms. This site and function distinguish it from anterior blepharitis, which affects lash follicles and glands at the lid margin. Goblet cells are conjunctival mucin producers and are not the primary issue here, and glands like Wolfring are accessory glands not chiefly responsible for posterior blepharitis.