Dry Eye Syndrome & 
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Dry eye disease affects a majority of the population and many of those affected are unaware that symptoms of intermittent blurry vision, eye watering, and red eyes can be realted to surface dryness.  The meibomian glands are the tiny pores that line the upper and lower eyelid margins. These glands produce the oil (meibum) that contributes to your eye’s tear film and provides constant lubrication to keep your eye healthy. Problems occur when the oil glands become blocked or clogged with thick secretions, preventing a normal flow of oilMeibomian Gland Dysfunction and dry eye are often grouped together since they have similar symptoms.

 

Risk factors of MGD include aging, deficiency of hormones, systemic conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome (SS), Rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy, thyroid disorders, psoriasis, atopy, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, hypertension, among many other conditions.

 

Meibomian gland dysfunction can be treated with a variety of medications and in-office procedures, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Generally heat, lid hygiene, and lid massage are important. Aside from eyedrops, in office treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), lid debridement, and meibomian gland expression following one of these treatments can be helpful in more progressed cases. 

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If some of these problems sound familiar, we'd love to have you schedule an appointment for a dry eye evaluation. We can look at your specific needs and conditions to work together on developing a treatment plan. 

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