Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOver-the-Counter DrugsPrescriptionsProceduresAlternative Therapies
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Prescriptions
Procedures
Alternative Therapies
Every case is unique and may require the use of one or more treatments. Here are some of the options to keep in mind as you navigate treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Since meibomian gland dysfunction can cause the buildup of oil, bacteria, and dead skin, part of the treatment approach is in clearing this debris away so oil can flow from the glands to the eye. This may involve a regimen performed twice a day when symptoms are active or just once for prevention. It can include:
Take CareYou must be careful when rubbing or scrubbing near your eyes to prevent scratching your cornea with your fingernail.
Take Care
You must be careful when rubbing or scrubbing near your eyes to prevent scratching your cornea with your fingernail.
Over-the-Counter Therapies
Another possibility is trying an over-the-counter (OTC) approach. The meibomian glands normally produce oil (lipids) that is used inthe tear filmthat keeps the surface of the eye moist and healthy. Without enough oil, the eyelids can become inflamed and you can experience dry eye symptoms.
You may try soothing your eyes with lipid-containing emulsion drops from your drugstore. These drops have oil (lipids) suspended in water and are considered an optional treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.These drops may be beneficial to the quality and stability of the tear film, potentially relieving dry eye symptoms.
Also, the use of omega-3 essential fatty acid oral supplements may work to reduce inflammation in meibomian gland dysfunction and improve the quality of the oil the glands produce.Omega-3 fatty acidsare found in fish oil and flaxseed.
Your practitioner may also prescribe drops for meibomian gland dysfunction if your symptoms call for them. Some prescriptions you may be given include the following:
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
There are also a variety ofapproachesto physically alleviate symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction. Some approaches that your practitioner may recommend for you include:
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
In addition to traditional Western approaches, alternative strategies have been reported to help alleviate symptoms for some patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. These includeacupuncture, in which extremely thin needles are placed in specific places, andmoxibustion, which involves burning herbs.
Summary
Treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction ranges from home remedies and self-care to OTC drops and supplements, prescription medications, and procedures your eye-care professional can perform.
A Word From Verywell
Meibomian gland dysfunction leads to discomfort and blurry vision, which can reduce your quality of life and make tasks requiring sharp vision difficult. With many different options for treating the condition, you can work with your eye care professional to find the right ones for you. If one approach is not successful, you can switch to another to get your meibomian gland dysfunction effectively under control.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Meibomian gland dysfunction and treatment.Qiao J, Yan X.Emerging treatment options for meibomian gland dysfunction.Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:1797-1803. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S33182Optometrists Network.How is meibomian gland dysfunction treated?Kashkouli MB, Fazel AJ, Kiavash V, Nojomi M, Ghiasian L.Oral azithromycin versus doxycycline in meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised double-masked open-label clinical trial.Br J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;99(2):199-204. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305410Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA.Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms: A randomized clinical trial.Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:405-418. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S234008Badawi D.A novel system, TearCare®, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:683-694. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S160403Giannaccare G, Taroni L, Senni C, Scorcia V.Intense pulsed light therapy in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: Current perspectives.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2019;11:113-126. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S217639Jie L, Shang-Kun O, Wei L, Zu-Guo L, Qing-Hua P.Physical therapy modalities of Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for meibomian gland dysfunction.Digital Chinese Medicine. 2020;3(4):229-238. doi:10.1016/j.dcmed.2020.12.001
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Meibomian gland dysfunction and treatment.Qiao J, Yan X.Emerging treatment options for meibomian gland dysfunction.Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:1797-1803. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S33182Optometrists Network.How is meibomian gland dysfunction treated?Kashkouli MB, Fazel AJ, Kiavash V, Nojomi M, Ghiasian L.Oral azithromycin versus doxycycline in meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised double-masked open-label clinical trial.Br J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;99(2):199-204. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305410Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA.Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms: A randomized clinical trial.Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:405-418. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S234008Badawi D.A novel system, TearCare®, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:683-694. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S160403Giannaccare G, Taroni L, Senni C, Scorcia V.Intense pulsed light therapy in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: Current perspectives.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2019;11:113-126. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S217639Jie L, Shang-Kun O, Wei L, Zu-Guo L, Qing-Hua P.Physical therapy modalities of Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for meibomian gland dysfunction.Digital Chinese Medicine. 2020;3(4):229-238. doi:10.1016/j.dcmed.2020.12.001
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Meibomian gland dysfunction and treatment.Qiao J, Yan X.Emerging treatment options for meibomian gland dysfunction.Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:1797-1803. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S33182Optometrists Network.How is meibomian gland dysfunction treated?Kashkouli MB, Fazel AJ, Kiavash V, Nojomi M, Ghiasian L.Oral azithromycin versus doxycycline in meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised double-masked open-label clinical trial.Br J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;99(2):199-204. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305410Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA.Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms: A randomized clinical trial.Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:405-418. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S234008Badawi D.A novel system, TearCare®, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:683-694. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S160403Giannaccare G, Taroni L, Senni C, Scorcia V.Intense pulsed light therapy in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: Current perspectives.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2019;11:113-126. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S217639Jie L, Shang-Kun O, Wei L, Zu-Guo L, Qing-Hua P.Physical therapy modalities of Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for meibomian gland dysfunction.Digital Chinese Medicine. 2020;3(4):229-238. doi:10.1016/j.dcmed.2020.12.001
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Meibomian gland dysfunction and treatment.
Qiao J, Yan X.Emerging treatment options for meibomian gland dysfunction.Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:1797-1803. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S33182
Optometrists Network.How is meibomian gland dysfunction treated?
Kashkouli MB, Fazel AJ, Kiavash V, Nojomi M, Ghiasian L.Oral azithromycin versus doxycycline in meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised double-masked open-label clinical trial.Br J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;99(2):199-204. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305410
Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA.Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms: A randomized clinical trial.Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:405-418. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S234008
Badawi D.A novel system, TearCare®, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:683-694. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S160403
Giannaccare G, Taroni L, Senni C, Scorcia V.Intense pulsed light therapy in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: Current perspectives.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2019;11:113-126. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S217639
Jie L, Shang-Kun O, Wei L, Zu-Guo L, Qing-Hua P.Physical therapy modalities of Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for meibomian gland dysfunction.Digital Chinese Medicine. 2020;3(4):229-238. doi:10.1016/j.dcmed.2020.12.001
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