Lacrimal Epithelium Mediates Hormonal Influences on Antigen- Presenting Cells and Lymphocyte Cycles in the Ocular Surface System

The lacrimal glands and ocular surface tissues comprise a physiological system that functions to ensure the quality of the image projected onto the retina. It does this by producing the ocular surface fluid film, which establishes a smooth refractive interface for light entering the eye, and by helping to maintain the cornea in a non-inflamed, non-vascularized, optimally hydrated state. In a sense, the ocular surface system creates and maintains its own local milieu extérieur.