Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
With each blink, we coat the front of our eye with oils that get expressed from glands inside of our eyelids (meibomian glands). These oils are responsible for keeping our vision clear, and our eyes comfortable and moisturized. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the glands do not function properly, which makes our tears unstable and more likely to evaporate from the front of the eye. If left untreated, the glands can undergo changes leading to degeneration and permanent damage.
In-office thermal expression treatments (Thermal 1 Touch, TearCare, Lipiflow) improve the health of the meibomian glands by heating the eyelid surfaces and applying a pulsating or mechanical force to express the glands. By clearing obstruction, the glands can work at their best. Improving gland function reduces dryness symptoms like grittiness, itching and burning.
We are happy to implement this new technology to further provide our patients with the highest level of care!