Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption01:22

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Development of Human Conjunctival Goblet Cell Segmentation Datasets to Improve Quantitation.

Scientific data·2026
Same author

Corrigendum to "TFOS DEWS III: Digest" Am J Ophthalmol. 2025; 279:451-553.

American journal of ophthalmology·2026
Same author

Tear proteomic analysis in keratoconus patients and potential biomarkers: a case-control study.

Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)·2026
Same author

Environmental Drivers of Dry Eye Disease: A Narrative Review of Pollutants, Climate, and Indoor Exposures with Practice Recommendations.

Ophthalmology and therapy·2026
Same author

Volumetric and Linear Imaging Response After Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Vestibular Schwannoma.

Cureus·2026
Same author

Temperature, Humidity and Regional Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease in Argentina.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2025
Same journal

Clinical feasibility of hyperspectral imaging for evaluation of anterior segment disorders.

The ocular surface·2026
Same journal

A post-HSCT ocular surface "Window of Opportunity for Pre-emptive ocular treatment (WinOP)" shows early inflammatory activation and an oGVHD-like molecular subset.

The ocular surface·2026
Same journal

Pipeline: Eugene Garfield, Ph.D. and bibliometrics.

The ocular surface·2026
Same journal

The ocular surface consequences of lacrimal gland loss are life-stage dependent.

The ocular surface·2026
Same journal

Evaluating synthetic anterior segment images for transferable eye disease recognition.

The ocular surface·2026
Same journal

Beyond diagnosis: AI-based surgical risk assessment in Acanthamoeba keratitis with real-world validation.

The ocular surface·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Protocol for Single-Cell Dissociation, RNA Sequencing, and Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells and Fibroblasts from the Aged Lacrimal and Salivary Glands
08:37

Protocol for Single-Cell Dissociation, RNA Sequencing, and Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells and Fibroblasts from the Aged Lacrimal and Salivary Glands

Published on: April 24, 2026

The aging lacrimal gland: changes in structure and function.

Eduardo M Rocha1, Monica Alves, J David Rios

  • 1From the Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaringology, and head and Neck Surgery, faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo University Ribeirao, Preto, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Clinical Physiopathology, Department of Clinical Medicine, faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; and Schepens Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02114 USA.

The Ocular Surface
|October 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Aging impairs tear production by affecting the lacrimal gland functional unit. This age-related decline in tear secretion is linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to dry eye disease.

More Related Videos

Manipulating the Murine Lacrimal Gland
05:56

Manipulating the Murine Lacrimal Gland

Published on: November 18, 2014

Establishment, Maintenance, Differentiation, Genetic Manipulation, and Transplantation of Mouse and Human Lacrimal Gland Organoids
10:49

Establishment, Maintenance, Differentiation, Genetic Manipulation, and Transplantation of Mouse and Human Lacrimal Gland Organoids

Published on: February 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Protocol for Single-Cell Dissociation, RNA Sequencing, and Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells and Fibroblasts from the Aged Lacrimal and Salivary Glands
08:37

Protocol for Single-Cell Dissociation, RNA Sequencing, and Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells and Fibroblasts from the Aged Lacrimal and Salivary Glands

Published on: April 24, 2026

Manipulating the Murine Lacrimal Gland
05:56

Manipulating the Murine Lacrimal Gland

Published on: November 18, 2014

Establishment, Maintenance, Differentiation, Genetic Manipulation, and Transplantation of Mouse and Human Lacrimal Gland Organoids
10:49

Establishment, Maintenance, Differentiation, Genetic Manipulation, and Transplantation of Mouse and Human Lacrimal Gland Organoids

Published on: February 3, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The lacrimal gland functional unit, comprising corneal nerves, conjunctival nerves, and lacrimal glands, produces the aqueous tear component.
  • Decreased lacrimal gland function is a primary cause of dry eye disease.
  • Aging is a significant risk factor for dry eye disease, necessitating research into age-related functional changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the age-related changes in the lacrimal gland functional unit.
  • To identify mechanisms contributing to the loss of lacrimal gland function with aging.
  • To inform the development of treatments for age-related dry eye disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on aging mechanisms and lacrimal gland function.
  • Analysis of findings from mouse models of aging, including neural stimulation, mast cell accumulation, and lipofuscin.
  • Consideration of factors like hyperglycemia, lymphocytic infiltration, and oxidative stress.

Main Results:

  • Neural stimulation of protein secretion is an early age-related change in lacrimal glands.
  • Increased mast cells and lipofuscin accumulation are observed in aging lacrimal glands.
  • Hyperglycemia, lymphocytic infiltration, and oxidative stress may contribute to age-related functional decline.

Conclusions:

  • Aging affects the lacrimal gland functional unit, leading to reduced tear secretion and dry eye disease.
  • Oxidative stress and immune/inflammatory processes impacting nerve function are potential contributors to age-related lacrimal gland dysfunction.
  • Further research is crucial to understand and address the neuro-immune mechanisms underlying age-related dry eye.