EYELIDS AND GLANDS
The eyelids contain numerous oil-producing meibomian glands, located in rows within the tarsal plate near the lashes.
The force of each blink causes oil to be excreted from the meibomian glands onto the lid margin. This oil helps to prevent evaporation of the tear film.
Any dysfunction of these glands will affect the tear film and make it less stable; this is the main reason people have dry eye symptoms. This dysfunction is often termed meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).