If your eyes often feel dry, gritty or irritated – and you don’t even use your screens often – you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide live with an under-recognised condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD, one of the most common causes of dry eye condition.
But what exactly are the meibomian glands, and what happens when they stop working properly?
The Anaytomy of the Eye
Along the edge of your eyelids—just behind your lashes—are dozens of tiny oil-producing glands called meibomian glands. Their job is to secrete an oily substance that coats the surface of your eyes and prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly.
Every time you blink, these oils are spread across the eye, forming a protective barrier. Without them, your tears evaporate too fast, leading to dry, irritated, and inflamed eyes.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
In MGD, these oil glands become blocked or stop producing healthy oil. This disruption affects the tear film’s stability, making it more likely for the eyes to dry out or feel uncomfortable.
This can lead to redness, stinging, blurred vision, and even excessive tearing as your eyes try to compensate.
Common Symptoms of MGD
MGD can be subtle at first, but symptoms may include:
Dry, itchy, or burning eyes
Redness or inflammation of the eyelid margins
Blurred or fluctuating vision
A feeling of something “in the eye”
Crusting around the eyelashes
Watery eyes (due to reflex tearing)
Sensitivity to light
As these symptoms can overlap with other eye conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis or general dry eye, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from an eye care professional.
Getting Your Glands Checked
An eye doctor can examine your eyelids and tear film to assess if your meibomian glands are blocked. This may involve meibomian gland expression to check see if, and how much, oily substance comes out. Imaging tests like meibography, which visualises the structure of the glands, may also be used.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor can guide you through the possible treatment options, tailored to your condition. The right treatment plan can make a noticeable difference to your dry eye symptoms!
If you suspect you may have MGD or want to explore your options, speak to our team at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery to find out more.
Speak to us to schedule a dry eye assessment today.
