Glands of Zeis
Small specialized sebaceous glands at the base of each eyelash. Unlike meibomian glands, these do open into a hair follicle — the follicle of the eyelash itself.
What they do
Section titled “What they do”Lubricate the eyelashes and keep them flexible and water-resistant, protecting both the lash and the lid margin.
Why they matter clinically
Section titled “Why they matter clinically”When a gland of Zeis becomes infected (often by Staphylococcus aureus), the result is an external stye (external hordeolum) — the familiar tender, red bump at the edge of the lid.
Key idea
Section titled “Key idea”The glands of Zeis are an ordinary pilosebaceous arrangement applied to a highly specialized hair: the eyelash.