The outer layer of the tear film—the lipid layer—has numerous functions. It is a composite monolayer composed of a polar phase with surfactant properties and a nonpolar phase. In order to achieve an effective lipid layer, the nonpolar phase, which retards water vapor transmission, is dependent on a properly structured polar phase. Additionally, this composite lipid layer must maintain its integrity during a blink. The phases of the lipid layer depend on both lipid type as well as fatty acid and alcohol composition for functionality. Surprisingly, the importance of the composition of the aqueous layer of the tear film in proper structuring of the lipid layer has not been recognized. Finally, lipid layer abnormalities and their relationship to ocular disease are beginning to be clarified.
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Review Article|
August 01 2001
The Lipid Layer: The Outer Surface of the Ocular Surface Tear Film
James P. McCulley;
James P. McCulley
1Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Ward E. Shine
Ward E. Shine
1Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1573-4935
Print ISSN: 0144-8463
© 2001 Plenum Publishing Corporation
2001
Biosci Rep (2001) 21 (4): 407–418.
Citation
James P. McCulley, Ward E. Shine; The Lipid Layer: The Outer Surface of the Ocular Surface Tear Film. Biosci Rep 1 August 2001; 21 (4): 407–418. doi: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017987608937
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