ögonkanten

ögonkanten is a Swedish anatomical term referring to the edge or border of the eye, most often used to describe the region where the eyelids meet the eyeball. In clinical and anatomical contexts, the word denotes the eyelid margin and the surrounding area near the canthi, including the junctions at the inner and outer corners of the eye.

Anatomically, the ögonkanten encompasses the skin of the eyelids, the eyelid margin with eyelashes, and the meibomian glands that line the lid margin. The area near the inner canthus contains the puncta through which tears drain into the lacrimal system. The ögonkanten plays a central role in tear film distribution and ocular surface protection, helping to spread tears and protect the eye from debris.

The term is commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry to describe conditions affecting this border. Blepharitis, for example, is an inflammatory condition of the eyelid margin that directly involves the ögonkanten. Other relevant conditions include meibomian gland dysfunction, which affects the oily layer of the tear film at the lid margin, and angular blepharitis, which affects the inner and outer corners (canthi) of the eye.

Clinical relevance is high because signs at the ögonkanten—such as redness, crusting, swelling, or crusts at the lash bases—often indicate underlying eyelid or tear-film disorders. Diagnosis typically involves inspecting the lid margin, evaluating tear production, and assessing gland function. Treatment focuses on lid hygiene, warm compresses, and managing gland dysfunction to restore comfort and ocular surface health. The term originates from Swedish, combining ögon (eye) and kanten (edge). See also canthus, blepharitis, and meibomian glands.