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Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — a common cause of Dry Eye
Along the edges of your eyelids are tiny oil glands called Meibomian glands.
Their job iss simple but important: they release a fine layer of oil into your tears. This oil helps stop your tears from evaporating too quickly and helps keep the surface of your eyes comfortable, smooth and clear.
When these glands become blocked, inflamed or stop working properly, the oil layer becomes poor and your tears evaporate faster than they should.
The result can be dry, gritty, tired, watery, red or irritated eyes. You may also notice that your vision fluctuates or briefly clears after blinking.
This iscalled Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD, and it is one of the mostcommon causes of Dry Eye.
People are often surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of Dry Eye. When the tear film is unstable, the eyes can become irritated and reflex tearing can occur — but those extra tears often do not solve the problem because the important oil layer is still missing or poor in quality.
What do healthy and unhealthy Meibomian glands look like?
Healthy Meibomian glands produce a smooth oil layer that helps keep tears stable. Blocked or damaged glands can lead to faster tear evaporation and dry, irritated eyes.
The good news is that MGD can often be treated
At Shattky Optometrists in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, we can assess and image your Meibomian glands to see how well they are working and whether blockage or gland damage is developing.
Understanding what is happening inside the glands helps us tailor treatment to the cause of your Dry Eye rather than simply treating the symptoms.
For more significant Dry Eye and MGD, our 10-Week Dry Eye Programme may include treatments such as:
These treatments are designed to reduce inflammation, clear blocked glands and help improve the natural oils that protect your tears from evaporating.
Not every patient needs the same treatment. Some people respond well to improved lid hygiene and heat therapy, while others benefit from more advanced treatment such as IPL or LipiFlow. The key is identifying the cause properly and choosing the right plan.
If your eyes are sore, watery, irritated or tired, it may be more than “just dry eyes.” It could be Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Dry, watery, gritty or tired eyes? Come in and let us take a closer look.
Kiwi's know that good things take time, so come to us, have the tests done without feeling that you have been "rushed thru", and you'll know what we mean when we say "we take the time!"
Book appointmentKiwi's know that good things take time, so come to us, have the tests done without feeling that you have been "rushed thru", and you'll know what we mean when we say "we take the time!"
Book appointment
