What causes meibomian gland dysfunction and how is it treated? Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, occurs when the oil glands in the eyelids become blocked or inflamed, leading to evaporative dry eye, blurry vision, redness, irritation and watery eyes.
An estimated 80% to 90% of dry eye cases show signs of meibomian gland dysfunction, yet many people do not recognize the symptoms. Eye fatigue, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision and the feeling that something is stuck in your eye may all be connected to unhealthy meibomian glands.
On the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Dr. Joseph Allen explains how the meibomian glands protect the tear film, what causes the glands to become blocked and how eye doctors diagnose MGD using meibography, gland expression and tear breakup time testing.
Dr. Allen also explores the factors associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, including aging, hormonal changes, screen use, incomplete blinking, rosacea, blepharitis, Demodex mites, contact lenses, cosmetics and certain medications.
You will also learn about at-home dry eye treatments such as eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, eyelid massage and omega-3 fatty acids, along with in-office treatments including intense pulsed light therapy, red light therapy, thermal gland expression, radiofrequency, eyelid debridement and meibomian gland probing.
What You Will Learn
✅ What meibomian gland dysfunction is and how it causes evaporative dry eye
✅ The common symptoms of MGD, including blurry vision, watery eyes and eye fatigue
✅ How warm compresses, eyelid hygiene and omega-3s may support healthier tears
✅ Which professional MGD treatments may help open blocked meibomian glands
Sponsored by CEQUA®
This episode is sponsored by CEQUA® (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09%, a prescription eye drop that helps increase tear production in people with chronic dry eye. Ask your eye doctor if CEQUA is right for you.
Learn More: https://doctoreyehealth.com/CEQUA-Home
Find a Doctor: https://doctoreyehealth.com/CEQUA-Find-a-Doctor
Timestamps
00:00 Why meibomian gland dysfunction matters
02:00 What the meibomian glands do
06:11 Signs of blocked or inflamed oil glands
09:34 Tear breakup time and tear film instability
10:54 Common symptoms of MGD
16:32 What causes meibomian gland dysfunction
20:36 Aging, hormones, screens and incomplete blinking
31:49 Blepharitis, rosacea and Demodex mites
38:19 At-home treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction
50:38 IPL, thermal expression and advanced MGD treatments
Key Takeaways
🔹 Healthy meibomian glands release a clear oil called meibum that stabilizes the tear film and helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
🔹 MGD does not always feel like dry eye. It can also cause excessive tearing, fluctuating vision, glare, redness and light sensitivity.
🔹 Aging, hormonal changes, incomplete blinking, chronic inflammation, certain medications and eyelid conditions may contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction.
🔹 The right treatment depends on the health of the glands, the underlying cause and the severity of the condition, making a professional dry eye evaluation essential.
🤝 Sponsored by CEQUA®
This episode is sponsored by CEQUA® (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09%, a prescription eye drop that helps increase tear production in people with chronic dry eye.
CEQUA comes in a single-use vial and is used by placing one drop in each eye twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart. Ask your eye doctor whether CEQUA may be appropriate for you.
Learn more, book a virtual appointment or find an eye doctor at
Learn More: https://doctoreyehealth.com/CEQUA-Home
Find a Doctor: https://doctoreyehealth.com/CEQUA-Find-a-Doctor
Please refer to the official prescribing information for complete safety and usage information.
Resources Mentioned
Website: Doctor Eye Health https://www.doctoreyehealth.com/
YouTube: Doctor Eye Health https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealth
Instagram: @doctoreyehealth https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealth
TikTok: Doctor Eye Health https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealth
Facebook: Doctor Eye Health https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealth
LinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen https://www.linkedin.com/
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your eye doctor or healthcare professional regarding concerns about your vision or eye health.
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