Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, progressive abnormality of the oil glands of the eyes and is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED). MGD has been linked with loss of productivity at home/work, contact lens intolerance and can negatively impact the outcome of cataract and refractive surgery. If left untreated, it can lead to oil gland constipation and eventual irreversible gland drop out/loss.
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids and is a leading precursor to dry eye disease (DED). Since the eyelids and eyelid margins are never washed, an overabundance of bacteria and biofilm forms on the eyelids and eyelashes leading to complications.
Lubricate your eyes regularly:
We recommend using a preservative-free lubricant such as Refresh Plus. Preservative free artificial tears are generally sold in larger boxes as the tears are packaged in individual vials. Each vial
contains approximately 8-10 tear drops. Once a vial is opened, it can be re-capped and used over a 24-hour period.
Warm Compresses:
Use a clean washcloth under warm-to-hot running water. Get the washcloth as warm as you can stand it. Squeeze excess water from the washcloth. Before applying the compress to eyelids, check the temperature of the
washcloth on the back of your hand. Apply it to your closed lids for at least 5 minutes. In order to maintain the warmth of the cloth, repeatedly re-wet the cloth under the warm running water. Another option is to fill a clean, thin sock with dry
rice. Heat the rice-filled sock in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Before applying the compress to eyelids, check the temperature of the sock on the back of your hand. Apply 2-5 minutes at a time, with a 5-minute rest in between.
Cleaning Your Eyelids:
It is important to keep your eyelids clean to provide a healthy environment for your eyelid glands. This can be accomplished using baby shampoo, OcuSoft scrubs or LidHygenix.
Computer Ergonomics:
Take small breaks every 20 minutes to rest the eyes for 20 seconds. Sit away from air conditioning vents or other sources of air movement. Sit tall and keep your screen height low to the desk, in order to look
down at the computer screen, which will keep the lids partially closed (and less exposed).
Tear Care:
A fully customizable open-eye procedure used to address the underlying causes of evaporative dry eye/ meibomian gland dysfunction. This device has a sensor feedback loop that allows it to deliver consistent and safe thermal
energy to the eyelids. This procedure has significantly better results than the traditional warm compress treatment. This procedure is followed by the expression of the meibomian oil glands.
BlephEx:
An eyelid cleaning procedure done in office with a rotating microsponge tip. The procedure is quick and painless and takes 15-20 minutes to complete. This eyelid cleaning helps remove biofilm, blepharitis, removes oil gland
caps, and cleans the orifices of your oil glands.