Meibomian Gland Dysfunction & Blepharitis

Understanding Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

& Blepharitis

Are you finding yourself rubbing your eyes more than usual? Are you struggling with crustiness and skin flakes that seem to be developing around your eyelids? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you might be living with blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction.

Dr. Neal can help you find meaningful relief from your unique dry eye symptoms. It all starts with a comprehensive dry eye evaluation. From there, Dr. Neal will develop a detailed treatment plan that may include in-office treatment, medication, or other advanced therapies.

Book your dry eye evaluation today.

Book Appointment

What Is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an eye condition that can cause eyelids to become red, irritated, sore, crusty, and itchy. It can develop for various reasons, but one of the most common causes is built-up bacteria, also known as a biofilm, around the edges of your eyelids.

This condition can develop alongside another uncomfortable issue called meibomian gland dysfunction, a common cause of dry eye disease. If blepharitis is left untreated, it can increase your risk of developing styes or experiencing painful corneal damage.

Learn More About Treatments

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?

The edges of your eyelids contain many glands that create oils to help prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. These are called meibomian glands—and if they aren’t functioning properly, you may risk developing dry eye symptoms.

A dry eye assessment with Dr. Neal can help determine if your meibomian glands are producing an adequate amount of oil and if that oil is the right consistency. If meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is found to be one of the causes of your dry eye symptoms, there are ways we can help revitalize their function.

Learn More About Dry Eye Evaluations

Know Your Symptoms

If you have blepharitis or MGD, you may experience:

Burning or stinging sensations
Redness
Swelling
Crustiness on your eyelid and eyelashes
Blurry vision
Falling eyelashes

Who Can Get Blepharitis or MGD?

While meibomian gland dysfunction is a common contributing factor to blepharitis, it’s not the only issue that can increase your risk.

Other risk factors can include:

Rosacea
Dandruff
Oily skin
Allergies
Infections
Eyelash mites (Demodex)

Visit Our Dry Eye Center

Comfortable eyesight is an essential part of our quality of life, and issues like blepharitis and MGD can seriously impact our lives day after day.

Our comprehensive dry eye evaluations are specifically designed to help address the complex factors at play within the delicately balanced system of the eye. Please visit our Dry Eye Treatment page for more information, or book your dry eye evaluation.