Millions of people in the United States suffer from dry and itchy eyes. If you’re one of them, you may want to learn a little more about Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which is thought to be the leading cause of dry eyes. What causes Meibomian Gland Dysfunction? And how can you ease your symptoms if you discover you have MBD?
What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
Both our upper and lower eyelids contain meibomian glands, which secrete oil that mixes into our tear film to prevent tears from rapidly evaporating. These glands are essential for eye hydration, keeping your corneas moisturized throughout the day. But if you suffer from MGD, the glands will become clogged and produce low-quality oil or not enough oil. Your eyes will become dry and uncomfortable, and you may experience symptoms like the following:
- Burning eyes
- Red eyes
- Stickiness or crusting around the eyes
- Irritated eyes
- Watery eyes
- Gritty eyes
- Blurry vision
- The feeling that a foreign body (like sand or dirt) is in your eyes
- Styes or chalazia
If you notice these symptoms, reach out to an eye care professional. Without proper treatment, you may eventually suffer from chronic dry eyes or permanent eye damage.
What Causes Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
Although researchers have not yet identified an exact cause of MGD, several risk factors may play a part.
First, age impacts your likelihood of developing MGD because the number of meibomian glands in each eyelid decreases over time. Second, ethnicity may play a role, as Asian people are about three times more likely to get MGD than people with European ancestry, according to WebMD. Third, wearing contact lenses increases your likelihood of developing MGD. Fourth, wearing eye makeup may clog the meibomian glands, especially if you don’t thoroughly clean your eyelids before going to bed each night. Fifth, MGD is linked with several other conditions and medical issues, including the following:
- Posterior and anterior blepharitis
- Primary meibomianitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Inflamed or damaged eyelid or cornea
- Bacterial infections
- Autoimmune diseases (such as rosacea, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
Finally, some medications may impact your eyes’ oil production, including estrogen replacement therapy, drugs that reduce androgen, and retinoids (found in some acne treatments and anti-aging creams).
How Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Treated?
Heffington’s is proud to offer iLux2®, a state-of-the-art MGD treatment that targets blocked meibomian glands in a comfortable, non-invasive procedure that offers effective results. First, your eye doctor uses the iLux2® device to conduct advanced imaging, which lets them view your meibomian glands and note concerning areas. After that, they clean your eyelids with BlephEx to prepare them for the treatment. Finally, they use the iLux2® device to therapeutically warm the eyelids and express clogged oil. The process is not painful and only takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
Results are immediate. Your meibomian glands will be unblocked, allowing the oil to moisturize your eyes. This will also encourage the healthy production of oil, leading to improvements in your tear film. Your doctor may recommend that you receive the treatment regularly (1-4 times a year is common) to enjoy lasting results.
Check out the video below to learn more about this innovative, effective treatment.
Do you suffer from dry eyes? If you live in southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has assisted the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location).