Can You Cure Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), is the core cause of symptoms of dry eyes. A common affliction, this strain of Dry Eye Disease (DED), or Dry Eye Syndrome, affects over 300 million people every year. 

The symptoms of dry eyes related to MGD include itchy, dry, or even red eyes that can impact vision with real-world discomforts. Dry eye symptoms can include eye strain from something as simple as reading a book or watching something on a screen, or blurry eyes that make interacting with the same books or screens frustrating – especially towards the end of the day, when the eyes have been losing moisture as the day progresses. To understand how and why this happens, it is essential to understand what Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is to fully understand the treatments for MGD that relieve symptoms and discomfort. 

What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Our upper and lower eyelids are lined with scores of tiny glands that branch out toward the edge of the eyelids near our eyelashes.  These glands are known as Meibomian glands because they create and deliver a vital oil called “meibum” to protect the tear fluid. This oil, meibum, travels through the Meibomian glands when we blink, acting as a shield to protect the tear film from evaporating too quickly. Tears evaporating too quickly can leave the eyes unprotected and dry. When the Meibomian glands become blocked with hardened meibum, less oil can travel through the glands to protect the eyes. Without the protective oily layer, the tear fluids evaporate faster. Sometimes the body reacts by producing a sudden flood of tear fluids, which results in one of the symptoms of MGD, watery eyes.  In other instances, the rapid evaporation of tear moisture causes excessive blinking as the eyes attempt to restore enough coverage of the protective oils to retain more moisture.

If left untreated, these blockages to our glands create more frequent and severe symptoms of dry eye disease, including blurry vision and the inability to wear contact lenses or drive at night.  Over time, blocked glands can atrophy and eventually lose all function.  

Relief for MGD

Fortunately, relief is readily available due to how common Evaporative Dry Eye Disease is. Many with dry eyes turn to over-the-counter (OTC) “artificial tears,” which contain synthetic chemical tear replacements for relief. However, the application of “artificial tears” uses non-naturally occurring chemicals that provide insufficient relief, so they must be re-administered frequently. These drops or ointments are only good for temporary relief – not a lasting solution or cure. The better option is to use a product like EverTears^®, which works to restore the body’s natural tears and prevent future clogs to the Meibomian glands.

Treatments for MGD

While we can’t definitively say that there is a “cure” for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, there are treatments that can alleviate, eliminate and prevent instances of Dry Eye Disease. 

This lack of a cure is because blockages in the Meibomian glands can vary in cause. However, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction treatments have become increasingly accessible, even from the convenience of home. 

Conventional relief and treatment methods include warm, damp cloths or warm compresses. These provide an advantage to “artificial tears” because the heat helps the meibum melt back to a liquid state where it can flow to the tear film, restoring your body’s natural tears to help reduce your dry eye symptoms by getting to the root problem (MGD). 

However, traditional warm compresses don’t provide a cleaning component, which is an essential part of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction treatments. EverTears^® incorporates this essential component and elevates the soothing moisture and heat of a warm compress. The pre-moistened formula found in EverTears^® can safely clear away unwanted blockages or particles after heating the meibum in the glands and refreshing the eyes.  

As the only product on the market that uses a pre-moistened cleansing formula as well as compact heating and relief, EverTears^® is a pivotal part of a daily regimen that lets your eyes stay well-lubricated by supporting natural tear film protection and providing a sterile wipe to clear any blockages safely and thoroughly.