The Relationship Between the Activity of the Meibomian Gland and Pupil Diameter

Aim: The meibomian glands are modified sebaceous glands that line the inner surface of the eyelids. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and meibomian gland activity based on pupil diameter values. Material and Method: 55 volunteers (27 patients and 28 controls) aged 16-41 years participated in the study. Patients with dry eye and a visual acuity of 10/10 according to the Snellen visual threshold were included in the study. Participants underwent static measurements at different light intensities and dynamic measurements to measure the rate of pupil dilation. Results: Static measurements (scotopic, mesopic ve photopic) in the patient group averaged 5.93±1.21, 4.70±0.86 and 3.99±0.97 mm, while measurements in the control group averaged 5.82±0.99, 4.87±0.83 and 3.87±0.90 mm. Pupillary velocity was 0.14±0.04 in the patient group and 0.12±0.03 mm/sec in the control group. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the relationship between meibomian gland function and pupillary function. The present study contributed to the literature by showing that there is no relationship between meibomian gland function and pupillary function.