How to diagnose dry eyes with meibomian gland dysfunction?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction statistics vary widely from 33% to 62%. Dry eyes with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, especially with Ocular Rosacea are one of the most difficulty dry eyes to treat.  TheraLife can help.

Meibomian gland secretions proteins, lipids and mucin which play an integral role in preventing evaporative dry eyes.  Insufficient production of these lipids can result in accelerated tear film breakup (Tear Breakup Test)and cornea damage, even when production of the aqueous component of the tear film ( Lacrimal Gland) remains normal. Since meibomian gland dysfunction often occurs concomitantly with insufficient tears in dry eye disease, assessment of dry eye syndrome often involved diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction.


Assessment of the Meibomian Glands

To evaluate people for meibomian gland dysfunction,  first start by exam­ining the quality of the meibomian gland secretions. In a healthy eye, the meibum is a very thin, clear liquid that expresses easily when pressure is applied to the eyelid. When patients start to develop meibomian gland disease, however, the meibomian gland secretions become thicker, maybe yellowish and the glands change in appearance. 

The first observable change is an increase in the viscosity of the meibum, which makes expressing the glands more difficult. As meibomian gland dysfunction progresses, the meibum also becomes increasingly opaque. At this stage, the meibum is still relatively thin—although not as thin as in the healthy eye—but it now appears cloudy rather than clear .

As meibomian gland dysfunction progresses, granule-like clumps begin to appear in the meibum, and eventually the meibum becomes so viscous that it is the consistency of paste. At this stage, one can still express the glands by pressing on the eyelids, but the secretions come out as a solid lumps rather than a liquid.

In addition to changes in the consistency and appearance of the meibum, the appearance of the glands themselves can indicate meibomian gland dysfunction. Look for signs of inflammation along the eyelid margin—either swelling of the lid margin or small dilated blood vessels close to the surface.


Alwasy check for facial rosacea during the exam because meibomian gland disease is more common in people with rosacea and sebaceous gland dysfunction. 

Medications such as retinoic acid (Accutane®) can obliterate meibomian glands and contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Note:  Meibhomian Gland Dysfunction in dry eyes are difficult to treat because clogging of the meibomian glands tend to recur.  Keeping the glands open using hot compresses is key to success. 
 

How TheraLife Can Help?
TheraLife Eye is formulated with strong anti-inflammatory ingredients and restore normal functions to your tear secretion glands to get balnaced, sustainable tears. .  It is the only formula that scientifically focuses on intra-cellular restoration. 
 
Typical recovery time for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction dry eye using TheraLife Eye range from 1-3 months.

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