Ocular Surface Epithelium: Applied Anatomy

Abstract

Anatomically, the ocular surface (OS) covers the area from the lid margins across the palpebral, fornicial and bulbar conjunctiva, the limbal and corneal epithelium. Functionally, the tear film, the glands that produce it, the lacrimal drainage apparatus and the lid blink reflexes all constitute the ocular surface. The OS is an integral part of the mucosal immune system.