WHAT IS MGD?

Author: Dr. Leigh Plowman (Optometrist)

MGD Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction is an eye condition that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that impact on day-to-day life. It’s very common and can affect people of all ages, though it’s more common as you age.

What Are Meibomian Glands?

Meibomian glands are small oil glands found along the edge of the eyelids (the surfaces that meet when you close your eyes). They produce the oil that lubricates the surface of your eyes and stops the water element of your tears from drying out. Your tear film is made up of this oil and water mix.

Why Are Meibomian Glands Important?

The oil component of your tear film is essential to its quality. A well-balanced tear film helps to lubricate your eyes and keep them healthy. If something goes wrong with your tear film — for example, if it doesn’t contain enough oil — you may end up with a painful eye condition or impaired vision.

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (also known as MGD) is when the glands don’t produce enough oil or the oil they release is of poor quality. This can happen when the openings to the glands get clogged up and less oil comes out. This oil can be of inferior quality — for example, it may have a crusty quality and can irritate instead of lubricating and protecting the eyes.

How Do I Know If I’ve Got MGD?

You may not have any symptoms at all to start with. But if meibomian gland dysfunction is not treated, you may start to notice that your eyes are dry or irritated.

Symptoms include:

Dry eyes
Red eyes
Itchy or burning eyes
Crustiness around the eyes
Watering of the eyes
Sensitivity
The feeling that you have a foreign body in the eyes
Chalazion (a swelling within the eyelid)
Stye (a swelling on the edge of the eyelid)
Blurred vision that gets better when you blink

You may notice that your symptoms get worse after you’ve been using a computer screen for a long time or if you have been exposed to dry air (for example, if you work in an air-conditioned environment).

What Are The Complications Associated With MGD?

MGD can cause dry eye syndrome when you don’t produce enough or good enough quality tears, and your eyes feel uncomfortable as a result.

This means that your eyes feel sore all the time and you are more vulnerable to infections and other unpleasant symptoms.

What Are The Risk Factors For MGD?

The older you get, the more likely you are to be affected by MGD. This is because you lose meibomian glands as you age.

It’s also three times more likely to affect people of Asian heritage than those with European ancestry.

You may be more vulnerable to MGD if you already suffer from an autoimmune disease like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, rosacea or rheumatoid arthritis, or if you have blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids.

Certain drugs, such as estrogen replacement therapy and retinoids for skin conditions, can affect your natural oil production and lead to MGD.

Wearing contact lenses is also a risk factor.

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy and Symptom-Free

If you think you have MGD, rest assured that it’s a very common condition.

It’s important to see an eye doctor if you are experiencing any of the uncomfortable symptoms linked to MGD so that they can prescribe an appropriate course of treatment.

And make sure you stick with any self-care you are advised to follow at home to ensure that your eyes keep healthy, well-lubricated and symptom-free.