Lacrimal gland regeneration: Progress and promise

Abstract

The lacrimal gland is a tubuloacinar gland located in the groove of the frontal bone, which is involved in synthesis and secretion of major tear proteins and other aqueous components of the trilayered tear film. Any injury to the lacrimal gland, which may be age related, drug or radiation therapy induced leads to dysfunction of the gland with a resultant hyperosmolarity of the tear film and its subsequent instability. This tear film instability leads to destabilization of the ocular surface homeostasis and to a number of morbid complications like the dry eye syndrome.The current treatment modality for chronic dry eye remains palliative, which provides only temporary symptomatic relief. One of the modalities of providing long-term benefit to these patients would be cell therapy to restore or replenish the damaged gland. This review describes the progress and promise of cell therapy for lacrimal gland regeneration for potential clinical application.