Are You Treating Your MGD WRONG?

MGD is known to be the #1 cause of dry eyes. Approximately 86% of Dry Eye sufferers have Meibomian Gland Disease (MGD). 

What is MGD?

MGD occurs when the protective oil layer produced inside the glands is abnormal.  The cause for this is that the oil in the gland thickens, causing it to remain trapped inside the glands. Without protection from the oil, the nerves on the frontal surface of the eye become exposed. Ouch! This causes redness and a stinging, burning, and gritty feeling in the eyes that leads to itching and changes in vision with blinking.  

Studies have shown that warming up the Meibomian glands every day is one of the most effective treatments for MGD. This is because the heat allows the clogged oil to flow back onto the eyes’ surface.  

That is why we have created the UNclog Heating Eye Mask. It is unlike a microwavable warm compress mask because those start out too hot and cool down too fast. For MGD, you need a mask that will stay at a precise and consistent temperature range long enough to melt the oils trapped inside the Meibomian glands. 

The UNclog Heating Eye Mask is designed to have a constant temperature.  It remains at the correct heat level to melt the oils clogged Meibomian glands effectively. The warmth from the Far Infrared (FIR) light heats the oils safely.  The FIR light passes through the tissue of the eyelids and concentrates its action at the level of the Meibomian glands.  

But wait, that’s not all.  MGD is not the only thing causing your dry eyes.  Unfortunately, dry eyes are much more complex than that.  Dry eyes are also affected by the environment, humidity level, diet, metabolism, allergens, sleep patterns, habits, and more. There is so much to consider when you're affected by this disease! No wonder experts consider Dry Eye to be a multi factorial disease. 

How is MGD Treated?

Dr. Pam Theriot, Clinical Director of the Dry Eye Center at Lusk Eye Specialists, recommends four simple steps to alleviate your dry eye symptoms. She calls them the four H's: 

1. Hydrate
2. Harmonize
3. Heat
4. Heal

Dr. Theriot’s website is packed with great information. Check out her full blog to learn how to incorporate these 4-simple steps into your own dry eye treatment plan. Click here to learn more about it!

So here it is, tips on how I manage my symptoms. 🙂  Every eye is different, but I hope this will help you as much as it has helped me!

Heather

Source of Information:

Pam Theriot, OD, FAAO, is the author of the book Alleviate Dry Eye, an eight-week program and workbook for patients to get relief from their dry eyes. The book uses a four-step treatment plan plus lifestyle habit changes to get your eyes to feel normal again. Check out Dr. Theriot’s  book, Alleviate Dry Eye. It’s available here from Amazon.