Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Much More
MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction) is a very common eye condition that cannot be diagnosed easily. Individuals usually get it when there’s a problem with their eyelids’ few dozen tiny glands. These are the glands that help make the oil layer of your tears. A thin fluid layer known as tear film covers the ocular surface and keeps your eyes moist. The three layers of the tear film are formed by mucus, water, and meibum. The oil prevents the water layer on the eye surface from drying out or evaporating too quickly. MGD occurs when changes happen in the amount or quality of the oil. Changes to the glands can also lead to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
In obstructive MGD, less and less oil reaches the eye surface. It usually happens when the gland opening gets clogged. Based on the stage of your MGD and your underlying medical condition, the eye doctor will tailor the best treatment for you.
Causes of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction:
With age , the number of Meibomian glands goes only down. Just like age, ethnicity also plays a major part. Individuals who wear contact lenses are more likely to get MGD. High cholesterol, bacterial infection, cornea, and allergic conjunctivitis are some of the most common medical issues linked to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Anti-ageing creams, retinoid, drugs that reduce androgen, and estrogen replacement therapy are some medications that are known for causing problems with oil production.
Symptoms:
Symptoms are not quite noticeable in the early stage of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. With time, the less oil or poor quality oil in the tear film makes our eyes itchy, burning, dry, or irritated. Sometimes, you may even feel like you have dust or grain of sand in your eyes. An inflamed and irritated eye may become red. The classic sign of MGD is the inner rim of your eyelid looking rough or uneven. The symptoms of MGD can get worse for those who use a computer all day long.
Complications:
It is actually the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction that causes dry eye syndrome. MGD may lead to Blepharitis, i.e., eyelid inflammation. Untreated MGD may raise your chance of getting inflammation and infection, especially if you are having eye surgery. MGD in its advanced stage may even lead to cornea disease.
Diagnosis:
It isn’t that easy to say if an individual is suffering from MGD or not. Your eye doctor will inspect the gland openings in order to diagnose Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. The eye doctor may even squeeze your eyelids. It is done in order to squeeze oil out. Your eye doctor will prescribe you certain tests that help measure the quality of your meibum and how fast your tears evaporate. The combination of these tests’ results leads to MGD’s diagnosis.
Medical Treatment:
In order to improve symptoms and open blocked Meibomian glands, the eye doctor will use certain devices that will send pulsed light or heat to Meibomian glands. iLux and IPL is by far the best treatment for people with MGD. The iLux system allow doctors to provide effective and safe treatment. It is done with the help of localized heat and compression therapy. It is an effective treatment for almost everyone. The IPL therapy for MGD can improve Meibomian gland functionality and tear film stability. For more advanced MGD, your eye doctor may add certain medications to your care plan. The medications may include antibiotics for infection, steroids that help ease inflammation, and lubricants. Make sure to stick with your treatment to reverse Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. For the best treatment, check out hudsoneyes.com.
