On meibography, dropout and shortening of glands are observed along which eyelid aspect?

• A. Normal glands
• B. Dropout and shortening of glands along interior eyelid
• C. Glands enlarge
• D. Glands only on conjunctiva

Answer: (B)

Meibography highlights the meibomian glands that run within the tarsal plates along the inner margin of the eyelids. When those glands show dropout and shortening, it reflects loss and atrophy of the glands that line the interior (palpebral) lid where they reside. This pattern is characteristic of meibomian gland dysfunction, often associated with inflammatory blepharitis and evaporative dry eye.

So, dropout and shortening are observed along the interior eyelid because that’s where the glands are located. Glands enlarging is not typical of this imaging pattern, and the meibomian glands are not restricted to the conjunctiva surface alone. Normal glands would not show dropout or shortening.