MGD

Blepharitis/Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

What is it?
Your oil glands have gone on strike! Yikes....... didn't really realize we had oil glands.

"The meibomian glands are located in the eyelids. Secretions from these glands comprise the lipid (oily) layer of the tear film which is so crucial in preventing rapid evaporation of the tears. Failure of these glands to produce or secrete oil - due to chronic blockage, thickening of the meibum, etc. will affect the quality and stability of the tear film, which in turn will produce classic dry eye symptoms."


On the treatment sheet this is the first paragraph.

Please be advised that your condition is chronic and con not be cured. The following treatments are intended to reduce they symptoms you are experiencing and to make your eyes more comfortable.

THANKS A LOT....that is exactly what I wanted to hear.
It will always be there to bug the crap out of me.
Please tell me....... that it will go away if I do everything you tell me I must do, and I will not have these itchy --puffed up eyes the rest of my life.

Since the eye lids are inflamed I first thought it might be pink eye.
(Think I'd rather have pink eye) at least then it would go away.

Hot Compresses.... 5-10 minutes , twice a day. will help reduce inflammation in the lids, while thinning the oils inside the tear glands, allowing them to be expressed more easily. (So yep, get to stand across the sink for an extra 10 minutes every morning and evening just holding that hot washcloth on my eyes.

Lid scrubs/Massage
Use a warm washcloth with a small amount of diluted baby shampoo to nightly scrub along the margins of your eyelids along the lash lines. Also, gently massage each lid for about 30 seconds. (So now I get to use the shampoo that is normally purchased for kids---Sorry Kenley....grandma must use it too.)

This will help to remove any oily buildup/crusting that can irritate the eyes and clog the glands.


Oh, yes, I knew I had dry eye syndrome. Just not this bad....one eye tested a 1 and the other a 3... last summer one tested a 3 and the other a 5.
Oh, wait...I think the normal is to be a 10, Ya right- Doesn't look like my eyes are normal or will ever be normal again on their own.

So for the present time I get to put Medicated drops in 4 times a day along with more artificial tears 4-6 times a day. And get to go back to the eye doctor in a week to see if the condition is improving.
Oh, and don't forget Verna you have to do the hot compresses faithfully, and the lid scrubs along with buying and taking Omega-3 vitamins.

THAT IS JUST WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR! NOT!!!!!!!!

The also recommend the punctual plugs, but say they will not solve the problem 100%, but MIGHT help.

How did I come to go to the eye doctor? The other afternoon all of a sudden my left eye was dancing and I could not see out of it at all for a few moments. If I would have had to drive I would not have been able to do so for about 20 minutes.
My eyes looked like I had been crying for hours.... Really all I would have needed is the sound to go with it. And rather then call my MD I knew I best go see the specialist again. But my doctor was full I could not get in, therefore they stuck me in with one of the other doctors in the office. Actually I liked this guy almost better then my original doctor. He explained things more in depth to me. And he took his time was not rushed. Stated that I was the 4th person that afternoon that had come in with the same problem.

SO I am not alone in this boat of eye problems. But that doesn't make me any happier about it either. It affects my vision also, so I have to be extra careful on the computer when I do payroll, etc. Must make sure my figures are correct.
Hopefully by the end of the two weeks on the meds I can go back to doing maintenance on things only and not have to use the medicated drops. However guess it is here with me the rest of my life and I shall have to be very careful not to let it get this bad again. NO FUN, NO FUN!