Emerging Treatment for Dry Eye from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Dr.Sriram Ramalingam|Doctors' Circle

Subscribe to
   / @doctors-circle   - World's Largest Health Platform
   / @doctorscirclehindi   दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा हेल्थ प्लेटफार्म
   / @doctorscircle-knowyourdoctor   Know Your Doctor
Dr. Sriram Ramalingam | Phone 📞 +91 80 2343 1020 (Online & in-person appointment can be booked online or by call)
Consultant Ophthalmologist | Pradnya Nethralaya Sultanpalya, Bengaluru, India
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. What is this Meibomian glands? Meibomian glands are the glands that are situated in the lid margins. There are 30 to 40 Meibomian glands in the upper lids and 20 to 30 Meibomian glands in the lower lids. They secrete a secretion which is thick and viscous in nature which is lipid in nature this is called as a Meibomian gland secretions. What happens when this Meibomian gland secretion decreases or what are the functions of this Meibomian gland secretion? First it helps in preventing the tears from evaporating. It acts as a lubricant, helps the smooth movement of the eyelids. It increases the surface tension and it increases the optical surface of the eye to give a crisp vision. So any deficiency of this Meibomian gland secretion leads to what is called as a Meibomian gland dysfunction. The Meibomian glands secretes these secretions and the blinking of the lids the secretions are spread out in the eye. Blinking is a very important in spreading the secretions from the Meibomian gland. Lack of blinking as I told in patients or persons using computers can lead to Meibomian gland dysfunctions. The hormone androgens increases the production of Meibomian glands. Anti-androgenic agents or estrogens decrease the secretions of the Meibomian gland that is lipid secretions. So what happens when this Meibomian gland secretion decreases? It leads to excessive evaporation of the tears and leads to a severe dry eyes. So what are the symptoms of Meibomian gland dysfunction is irritation, redness in the eye, occasionally itching in the eye, fluctuation in the vision, it may be clear sometimes, it may be hazy sometimes. On examination what do you see? On examination one can see a mild swelling the lid margins. One can see small dot like structures on the lid margins which is what is called as a capping or blockage of Meibomian gland ducts. How is this diagnosed? Clinical examination under slit lamp eye microscopy may give you an idea of the Meibomian gland dysfunction ancillary tests like Meibomiography or a Meibometer can help in clinching the diagnosis of Meibomian gland dysfunction. How do you treat Meibomian gland dysfunction? Treatment is going to be a long term process because this condition is a chronic condition. Most important is a lid hygiene. Before lid hygiene important to do what is called as warm compresses on the both the lids followed by lid massage. This helps in evacuating the secretions from the Meibomian glands. Antibiotic eye drops are prescribed. Lid scrubs are occasionally prescribed. Many a times a mild steroid drops also may be required. Systemic medications like doxycycline are given in long-standing Meibomian gland dysfunction. So treatment is going to be a prolonged. One can expect results within a few days or a few weeks but if you stop the treatment it can recur. So treatment has to be continued despite having relief from the symptoms so that one can get eradicate this problem.
#eyediseases
#dryeyes
#dryeye
#eyeproblem
#eyedoctor
#eyedrops
#ophthalmology
#opthalmologist
#eyespecialist
#tears