Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction the Cause Of Your Dry Eyes?
9/19/2018
Do you have tired, scratchy, or gritty feeling eyes? It may be because your eyelid oil glands are damaged, a condition known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
If you have MGD, it means that there is a blockage or another abnormality to your meibomian glands. There are about 25 to 40 meibomian glands in the upper eyelid and 20 to 30 in the lower eyelid, which secrete an oil. In eyes with healthy glands, the oil mixes with tears. But if you have MDG, the glands can’t secrete enough quality oil into the tears, which causes them to evaporate too quickly. You experience this deficiency through that tired, dry, or scratchy eye feeling, or you may suffer from crusty eyelids, particularly in the morning.
MDG is the top cause of evaporative dry eye syndrome. It’s also associated with an eyelid problem called blepharitis.
Who Can Get MGD?
Your risk for MDG significantly increases once you age past 40. You are also at an increased risk if you are a chronic contact lens or eye makeup wearer, even if you remove makeup before you go to sleep.
Treatment for MGD at Capstone Vision
Fortunately, Dr. Emmert-Buck can easily and noninvasively determine the health of your eyelid oil glands. This is thanks to dual camera technology that allows her to visualize the appearance of the glands.
If she finds that MGD is an issue for you, she will also diagnose any related problems, if there are any, such as dry eye syndrome. She will then educate you on how to keep your remaining glands healthy.
Treatment may initially be as simple as applying a warm compress at home. If those options fail, Dr. Emmert-Buck may seek additional causes of your MGD and recommend more intensive treatment.
If you suffer from chronic tired or scratchy eyes, contact Capstone Vision of Auburn Hills today or visit www.mycapstonevision.com to schedule a Sensitive Eye Exam. Dr. Emmert-Buck will thoroughly assess your meibomian gland health and help you regain comfortable vision.
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