On the Presence of (O-acyl)-omega-hydroxy Fatty Acids and of Their Esters in Human Meibomian Gland Secretions

Abstract

A recent exchange of opinions1–3 on the nature and quantity of wax esters (WEs), free fatty acids (FFAs), (O-acyl)-ω-hydroxy FA (OAHFA), and steryl-containing derivatives of OAHFA (OAHFA-St) in human meibomian gland secretions (or meibum4) has undoubtedly contributed to a better understanding of the nature of this complex secretion. Each approach described in those publications has its strengths and weaknesses. As this topic is very technical, but may have important physiological implications, a brief methodological introduction seems to be warranted.