Tiny sebaceous glands, called meibomian glands, are located at the borders of the eyelids - the edges that touch when the eyes are closed. The main function of the meibomian glands is to secrete a special substance that covers the surface of the eyeballs and prevents the evaporation of the water component of tears. Fat and water create a tear film.
Tear film is designed to lubricate the surface of the eyes and keep them he althy. It also affects the clarity of vision. If the water or fat layer becomes thinner, if its quality changes for the worse, the corresponding symptoms appear - irritation and blurred vision.
What is meibomian gland dysfunction?
This term refers to a condition in which the sebaceous glands on the eyelids do not produce enough oil or their secret becomes of poor quality. Often, the openings of the glands suffer from clogging, as a result of which the fatty layer on the eyeball becomes thinner. Fat escaping over the blockage may be grainy or tough. Deteriorationits quality leads to irritation.
Glandular dysfunction is a very common disorder. In the early stages, symptoms are often absent, however, in the absence of adequate treatment, pathology can lead to the development or worsening of an existing dry eye syndrome or an inflammatory process in the eyelids. The meibomian gland becomes clogged with a thickened secretion, and when chronically disturbed, the eyelids lose their ability to produce fat. As a result, irreversible changes in the tear film occur and dry eye syndrome develops.
Symptoms
If for some reason your Meibomian glands are affected, dysfunction can be identified based on the following signs of pathology:
- dry;
- burning;
- itch;
- viscosity of the secret;
- appearance of scab-like crusts;
- lacrimation;
- increase sensitivity to light;
- red eyes;
- feeling of a foreign body in the eye;
- chalazion or barley;
- periodic visual impairment.
Risk factors
There are circumstances that contribute to the development of dysfunction of the meibomian glands. These are risk factors which include:
- Age. Like dry eye syndrome, problems with the functioning of the sebaceous glands at the edges of the eyelids are more common in older people. An independent study of 233 people with an average age of 63 (with 91%participants were male), 59% had at least one sign of inflammation of the meibomian gland.
- Ethnic origin. The most susceptible to this pathology are Asians, including the population of Thailand, Japan and China. In these states, a violation was found in 46-69% of the people participating in the studies, while in developed English-speaking countries (USA, Australia), symptoms of dysfunction were found only in 4-20%.
- Using eye makeup. Eyeliner, pencils, shadows and other makeup products can cause clogging of the openings of the sebaceous glands. Women who do not pay enough attention to cleansing the eyelids from cosmetics are especially at risk. The most obvious risk factor is sleeping at night without first removing makeup.
- Wearing contact lenses. Some researchers suggest that sebaceous gland dysfunction may be associated with the regular use of contact lenses. When symptoms appear, improvement does not occur even six months after stopping wearing lenses. However, this risk factor is currently considered conditional, since the evidence base has not yet been fully collected.
Treatment
Inflammation of the meibomian gland is treated primarily with hygiene procedures to cleanse the eyelids and eyelashes from dead cells, excess fat and constantly accumulating bacteria. The skin of the eyelids is extremely sensitive, so experts urge to observe maximum accuracy and caution, regardless of the method chosen.treatment.
Warm compresses
Heating the edges of the eyelids increases the production of secretions and helps melt dried-on fatty crusts that clog the meibomian glands. The treatment is carried out with a warm (not too hot), clean, wet washcloth or cloth applied to the eyelids for approximately four minutes. The compress heats the fat and improves its outflow, thereby preventing further clogging of the glands. If symptoms of dysfunction bother you, repeat this procedure twice a day. If your goal is to prevent violations, once a day will be enough.
Massage
You can massage your eyelids right during the application of warm compresses. Gently press with your fingertips on the edge of the eyelid, starting just behind the lash line. Swipe your finger from bottom to top of the lower eyelid and look up at the same time, then slide it along the upper eyelid from top to bottom and look down. Excessive overuse of massage movements can lead to irritation, so use the utmost care.
Eyelid peeling
With dysfunction of the meibomian glands of the eyelids, light scrubbing helps to remove excess sebum, potentially harmful bacteria and accumulations of dead cells from the sensitive surface. Use a cotton swab or a warm cloth wrapped around your fingertips. Gently rub your eyelids (both upper and lower) parallel to the lash line. Use a mild soap or diluted baby shampoo as a scrub.(a few drops in a small glass of clean water) - any substance that does not cause irritation or burning sensation is suitable. If you are not sure about the correctness of your choice, consult your doctor in advance. Eyelid peeling can be performed once a day.
Omega-3 fatty acids: flaxseed oil and fish oil
Some patients with these disorders report improvement after including foods and dietary supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids. The latter largely contribute to improving the quality and consistency of the secret secreted by the meibomian glands.
Flax seed oil and fish oil are excellent natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is completely safe not only for adults, but also for young children; if your child has meibomian gland dysfunction and is 1-2 years of age, give him one teaspoon of oil per day. Older children can increase the dosage to one tablespoon each day. Flaxseed oil can be safely mixed with food - for example, with hot cereal, juice or smoothies. It should not be used at the same time as medicines that thin the blood or lower sugar levels.
