How to treat MGD

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common contributor to dry eye disease. It is sometimes termed MGD, meibomitis, and posterior blepharitis. The disorder is quite complex, but it generally points to infection in the meibomian glands of the eyelid, which produce the lipids (meibome) that comprise the outer layer of the tear film. The infection may be due to a blockage on the gland outlet at the eyelid margin. The barrier, in turn, may be due to an eyelid enlargement from allergies or anterior blepharitis (in the front of the eyelid). MGD may also come from hormonal alterations, or dietary habits that influence the thickness of the fatty substances. Sometimes, the extrusions may seem deeply creamy and thick, or even toothpaste-like; at other times, a dense fatty obstruction may congeal at the opening, blocking it. Another manifestation of MGD may consist of copious extrusions of lipids irritating the eyes, although no jamming of the glands occurs. The net result is that as a result of the dysfunction, the glands secrete sub-standard fatty components. There may be too much or a lack of oil; the oil may be too viscous or too thin. The final result is that the tear film becomes unstable and dries out at more rapid rates from the eye surface. Read further below for more information on dry eye treatment. More Information About Meibomian Gland Dysfunction   MGD symptoms usually are similar to signs identified with dry eye in general: burning sensation in the eye, sandiness, foreign object sensation, heightened sensitivity to light, and concretion along the lid margins. The lid margins look engorged and irritated and the inner rim of the eyelid may be hollowed as a consequence of scarring. Meibomian gland dysfunction commonly happens contemporaneously with abnormally low amounts of aqueous tears. When this happens, you are likely to experience specially severe dry eye symptoms. Approximately six of ten Sjögren's syndrome patients (who exhibit aqueous tear insufficiency) have been observed to also suffer from meibomian gland dysfunction. Other skin diseases like rosacea and seborrhoea - which frequently inflict blepharitis - are also contributory to meibomitis. These linked diseases should also be addressed during the treatment of meibomitis. The possibility of developing meibomitis is observed to increase with age. It may be that the meibomian glands slowly degenerate in their functioning, or that age-related alterations in the eyelids may contribute to abnormal blink mechanisms. What has been observed is that normal eyelids in elderly patients exhibit many of the adaptations in structure and form reported in meibomian gland dysfunction. MGD is also linked with many years of contact lens use. Contact lenses increase the tear evaporation rate. Rapid evaporation can induce contact lens intolerance and intensify the adverse reaction in patients whose tear films are already compromised to begin with. Similarly, meibomian gland dysfunction is also generally reported in patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) and chalazion (plural, chalazia; the lumpy remnants of a healed sty on the eyelid). MGD - Treatment   meibomian gland dysfunction, being a rather intricate dysfunction, has many possible causes. In any person, the disease may start from one or more of these causes. Your doctor will have to consider them as the treatment program progresses. The first order of business in treatment is to reduce inflammation on the eye surface, in order to dampen the consequences of bacterial activity on the eyelid rim, improve lipid function, and relieve the associated dry eye symptoms. Topical steroids can be recommended to manage inflammation, although this is not commonly resorted to because of the high risk of side effects. But newer formulations, such as loteprednol, are less risky and are acceptably effective at reducing inflammation. Specially compounded topical cyclosporine, such as cyclosporine emulsion in a castor oil base, has also been tried successfully to treat eye surface inflammation. Essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, have been cited in many anecdotal observations with the ability to diminish dry eye symptoms, presumably because of their well-known anti-inflammatory properties. Their anti-inflammatory action has also been found to improve meibomian gland disease. Lid scrubs can be very beneficial. Scrubbing the eyelid margin helps remove bacteria and their toxins, as well as decongests meibomian gland ducts. Overzealous cleansing can cause irritation, however, and should be avoided. Punctal plugs, artificial tears (without preservatives), and tear stimulants also bring relief. If you need more information on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and details on how to cure dry eye then click here.