Your eyes are like a windshield. If your windshield wipers break down, you run out of wiper fluid or have dirty fluid, it will make it very difficult for you to see through your windows. Similarly, when your tear film is disrupted, the light coming into your eye is also disrupted. This can cause you to see halos, have blurry vision or have glare. Healthy tears are imperative to healthy vision because they provide a smooth surface for the light to pass through into your eye.
The main cause of Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, is aging because it causes the morphology of the glands to change as you get older. However, other causes include:
- Hormone fluctuations, especially androgen deficiency
- Demodex eyelash mites
- Rosacea
- Other seborrheic skin conditions
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Treatments: How To Unblock the Meibomian Gland
Unfortunately, MGD is irreversible. However, you can reduce the severity and symptoms with certain types of treatment. One effective, at-home treatment is the use of a warm compress mask. This simple treatment is important in treating MGD because this condition causes the oils to become hardened and impacted within their glands. A warm compress helps to keep the oils flowing.
Another effective treatment is the iLux MGD Thermal Pulsation System. This treatment, which is performed by a medical professional, delivers treatment directly to the blocked Meibomian glands with the goal of clearing the blockages. Therapeutic heat at the optimal temperature is applied to your eyelids. Then, while the oil is thoroughly melted, it is manually expressed with the precise pressure required. Treatment of both eyes takes approximately 8 to 12 minutes. After glands are unblocked, it will be easier for the meibum to be released naturally, therefore improving symptoms of dry eye and MGD.
Call Us to Schedule an Appointment
For more information about MGD, call Saddleback Eye Medical Associates at 949-364-0225.