BACKGROUND Topical therapy is effective for dry eye, and its prolonged effects should help in maintaining the quality of life of patients with dry eye. We previously reported that the oral administration of rebamipide (Reb), a mucosal protective agent, had a potent therapeutic effect on autoimmune lesions in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). However, the effects of topical treatment wi...

BACKGROUND Decrease in lacrimal gland secretory function is related to age-induced dry eye disease. Lactoferrin, the main glycoprotein component of tears, has multiple functions, including anti-inflammatory effects and the promotion of cell growth. We investigated how oral administration of lactoferrin affects age-related lacrimal dysfunction. METHODS AND FINDINGS Twelve-month-old male C57BL/...

O ncocytic neoplasms are characterized by a marked mitochondrial hyperplasia. They are of epithelial derivation and usually occur in endocrine and exocrine organs such as the thyroid, parathyroids, kidney, pituitary, and salivary glands. Oncocytic lesions of the ophthalmic regions have been reported, especially as oncocytic adenomas of the caruncle. Similar lesions occur rarely in the adnexal l...

The lacrimal functional unit (LFU) is defined as an integrated system comprising the lacrimal glands, ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva and meibomian glands) and lids, and the sensory and motor nerves that connect them. The majority of dry eye symptoms are due to a chronic inflammation of the lacrimal functional unit resulting in a loss of tear film integrity and normal function. This leads t...

The lacrimal system is comprised of the lacrimal glands for tear production and the lacrimal drainage system for draining tears away from the eyes. Congenital lacrimal system anomalies other than nasolacrimal duct obstruction are uncommon. Congenital lacrimal fistulae are a rare developmental anomaly, and when they occur, they are usually unilateral. Fistulae and diverticulae can originate from...

PURPOSE MRL/MpJ-+/+ (MRL/+) and MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice show spontaneous development of a T-cell-driven lacrimal gland inflammation that is a model for Sjögren syndrome. The lacrimal gland lesions in these mice were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR for selected cytokine mRNA for the relative contributions of T-helper (Th)1 versus Th2 immune responses and by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistr...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression level of prostaglandins (PGs) and their de novo synthesis in dry eye (DE) disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional case-control study and in vivo mouse experimental study. PARTICIPANTS Forty-six eyes from 23 DE patients and 33 eyes from 17 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Also, DE-induced murine eyes were compared with control eyes. METHODS Patien...