Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic condition where the oil-producing glands in the eyelids—called the Meibomian glands—become blocked, inflamed, or unable to secrete healthy oils.
These oils form the outer layer of the tear film and prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When the glands fail, the tear film becomes unstable, leading to evaporative dry eye, irritation, and fluctuating vision.
MGD is the most common cause of dry eye disease worldwide, affecting millions of adults, particularly those who spend long hours on screens, have underlying skin conditions, or wear contact lenses.
Left untreated, MGD can lead to permanent gland damage, recurrent styes, chalazia, and chronic discomfort.
Symptoms can be intermittent or constant, often worsening with screens or air-conditioned environments. You may experience:
Dryness, burning, or gritty sensations
Stinging or watering eyes (reflex tearing)
Red or swollen eyelids
Crusting around lashes, especially in the morning
Blurry or fluctuating vision that improves with blinking
Sensitivity to wind or air conditioning
Frequent styes or chalazia
Contact lens discomfort
In advanced cases, glands may atrophy or drop out, reducing oil production permanently.
MGD occurs when the gland openings become blocked or the oil inside becomes thickened like toothpaste. Contributing factors include:
Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins)
Demodex mites blocking lash follicles
Chronic screen use, reducing blink rate
Rosacea and facial skin conditions
Hormonal changes, especially in peri-menopausal women
Ageing, which naturally reduces gland function
Contact lens wear
Environmental factors such as wind, air conditioning, and low humidity
Incomplete blinking, especially with digital devices
Long-term use of certain medications, including isotretinoin
These factors thicken the oil, block the glands, and reduce the quality of the tear film.
A full dry-eye assessment is required to diagnose MGD. Your clinician will examine:
Eyelid margins for inflammation, debris, and gland blockage
Meibomian gland function through gland expression
Quality of the meibum, whether clear, thickened, or absent
Meibography scans to visualise gland structure and dropout
Tear film stability (TBUT)
Presence of associated conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea
This allows your ophthalmologist to grade the severity of MGD and create a tailored treatment plan.
Seek a professional eye examination if you notice:
Persistent dryness, burning, or irritation
Morning crusting or eyelid inflammation
Fluctuating vision, especially with screen use
Increasing sensitivity to wind or air conditioning
Recurrent styes or eyelid lumps
Symptoms that do not improve with standard lubricating drops
Early intervention prevents gland damage and significantly improves long-term comfort.
Eyelid cyst removal surgery is a quick, effective procedure used to treat persistent or bothersome eyelid lumps such as chalazia and sebaceous cysts. It offers fast relief with minimal downtime and excellent cosmetic results.
Macula Hole / VMT Surgery is a precise retinal procedure that removes traction, closes macula holes, and restores central vision. With modern micro-incision techniques, the procedure offers excellent success rates and significant visual improvement for most patients.
Epiretinal membrane surgery removes scar tissue from the macula to reduce distortion and improve central vision. It is a safe, advanced retinal procedure with strong success rates and gradual, long-term visual improvement.
Punctal plugs are tiny devices placed into the tear ducts to retain natural tears and relieve dry eye symptoms. The procedure is quick, painless, and highly effective for patients with low tear production or persistent irritation.
