Everything You Need to Know About Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

If your eyes itch, burn, sting, look red, or you have a constant feeling of something being lodged in your eye, you may have a condition called Meibomian (“my-BOH-mee-an”) Gland Dysfunction, or MGD. This condition is the leading cause of Dry Eye Syndrome.

Patients from throughout the Buckhead area suffer from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. If you suffer from any of these symptoms or think you might have MGD, contact the Dry Eye Treatment Center At Family Eye Care Center Of Atlanta. Dr. Takeia Locke can help you with the long-term relief you need.

What are the Causes of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

• Age: MGD tends to manifest in older people, particularly in women during and after menopause

• Taking certain medications: particularly retinoic acid (acne treatment), HRT (hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women), antidepressants, antihistamines, and anti-androgen medication (used to treat prostatic hypertrophy).

• Endocrine disorders

• Pregnancy

• Wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time.

• Immune system disorders: atopic rosacea, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
  
  

Excessive screen time has also been linked to the development of MGD. Staring at a screen on your TV, smartphone, computer or tablet, causes you to blink less frequently. Blinking naturally moisturizes your eyes, and by doing so, clears any small particles that may have accidentally lodged in your eye. Less frequent blinking results in dryer eyes, which can harm the long-term ability of your meibomian glands to function properly.

What are the Solutions for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction range from self-administered or practitioner-administered treatments and typically involve a few methods, such as artificial tears, heat application, and manual gland expression. Dr. Takeia Locke usually suggests applying warm compresses over your eyelids as a first course of action. This gently opens the clogged glands and loosens the oil that may have accumulated. Warm compresses can provide temporary relief.

Further therapies used to manage MGD include omega-3 supplementation, topical antibiotics, oral tetracyclines to reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, corticosteroids, or topical cyclosporine.

People with MGD commonly purchase over-the-counter eye drops to lubricate their eyes. Unfortunately, these drops tend to provide only transient relief, because, without an adequate layer of Meibomian Gland oil, the liquid from the drops simply evaporates off of the eye. Dr. Takeia Locke at Dry Eye Treatment Center At Family Eye Care Center Of Atlanta can recommend the appropriate eye drops or treatment for your dry eye case to improve your eye comfort levels.