If you’ve ever had dry, itchy eyes, blurry vision, or a gritty feeling in your eyes, chances are you have clogged meibomian glands. These small but mighty glands in your eyelids help produce the oil that prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. Obstructions in these glands can cause pain and various other eye health problems. So how do you get them unclogged and what can be done to prevent that sort of thing from happening? Read on for professional analysis by an eye doctor in Palo Alto.
What Are Meibomian Glands and Why Are They Important?
You have tiny Meibomian glands all along the edge of your eyelids, which secrete an oily substance called meibum. This oil helps your tear film by keeping your tears from evaporating too quickly. (Without functioning glands, your eyes can be dry, irritated, and even blurry.) When these glands are blocked, the oil is trapped, causing discomfort and possible vision issues.
What Causes Blockages of Meibomian Glands?
Here are some that may lead to blockage of your meibomian glands:
Poor Eyelid Hygiene: Not cleaning your eyelids routinely allows debris, bacteria, and oils to build up and clog your glands.
Inflammation (Blepharitis): If you are suffering from inflammation of the eyelid, then it will cause a lower flow of oil from the glands.
Excessive screen time: Long hours spent in front of a screen reduces blinking, which can impact gland function.
Wearing Contact Lenses: Extended use of contact lenses can render your glands susceptible to dysfunction.
Symptoms of Blocked Meibomian Glands
If you experience any of the following symptoms, be aware that your meibomian glands may be blocked.
- Dry, itchy, or burning eyes
- Red or swollen eyelids
- Watery eyes (which is actually a response to dryness)
- A gritty or sandy sensation in your eyes
- Blurred vision that clears after blinking
Therefore, if you encounter these symptoms regularly, it is time to visit eye care in Palo Alto for a professional examination and treatment.
How Do You Treat Blocked Meibomian?
If you think that your meibomian glands are clogged, however, there are medical treatments available that can help to clear blockages and restore your eye health. Here are some common professional choices optometrists suggest:
TearCare®-Thermal Pulsation Therapy
Probably the single best treatment for MGD, TearCare is a method that applies heat and gentle pressure to relieve blockages in the Meibomian glands. As an in-office procedure, TearCare turns out to be a great solution for dry eyes due to glands not functioning.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
IPL therapy targets inflammation and stimulates meibum secretion. It is highly effective in treating chronic dry eyes associated with MGD.
Prescription Medications
Sometimes, your eye doctor may need to prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and improve oil production in the glands. Antibiotic ointments or anti-inflammatory eye drops can help to clear blockages and return glands to normal function.
Lid Hygiene Treatments
Your optometrist may suggest professional lid hygiene procedures, such as lid scrubs or antibacterial eyelid wipes, to reduce bacteria and prevent future blockages. These treatments can be done in the office or at home in your daily routine.
How to Prevent Blocked Meibomian Glands
Treatments exist, but prevention is always better than cure. Here are some easy, helpful steps to care for the meibomian glands:
Keep the eyelids clean: Clean the eyelids frequently with an eyelid wipe (from pharmacies) or a mild cleanser to help avoid oil buildup and bacteria.
Take Breaks from Screens: (The 20-20-20 rule): For every 20 minutes you’re focused on a screen, step away for 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away from your vision to encourage blinking.
Drink Water: Staying hydrated is essential for general eye health.
Ingest Omega-3 Rich Foods in your diet: The quality of the oil is improved if you include foods like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts in your diet to improve the quality of the oil secreted by the meibomian glands.
Get Top-Notch Eye Care Expert in Palo Alto, CA
Meibomian gland dysfunction is quite painful, but with proper treatment from an expert eye doctor and some preventive measures, your eye health can be restored, and symptoms alleviated. If you need help definitely you need to visit Palo Alto Optometry Clinic.
Schedule an appointment with Refine Optometry today if you’re experiencing any of the signs of blocked meibomian glands. Our experienced eye doctors are available to answer your questions and help you achieve your best open-eye health.