Dry Eye
If your artificial tears aren't solving your dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction is almost certainly why. It causes the majority of dry eye cases — and requires a different approach than simply adding more moisture.
The meibomian glands are rows of oil-secreting glands in the eyelid margins — about 25-40 per lid. They produce meibum, an oil that forms the outermost tear film layer and prevents evaporation. When these glands are blocked or produce thickened secretions, tears evaporate too quickly and the ocular surface becomes irritated.
Without adequate meibum, any moisture added evaporates immediately — like filling a bucket with a hole. Effective MGD treatment must address the glands themselves, not just the symptoms on the surface.
We examine the gland orifices directly, express the glands to evaluate secretion quality (healthy meibum is clear and liquid; dysfunctional meibum is thick, opaque, or absent), measure tear break-up time, and may image the glands with infrared meibography to assess structural integrity.
Warm compresses (5–10 minutes daily with a heated mask) liquefy thickened meibum and restore flow.
Lid hygiene with hypochlorous acid cleanser removes biofilm contributing to gland dysfunction.
In-office meibomian gland expression physically clears blocked glands under controlled conditions.
Dilation and irrigation opens chronically blocked glands unresponsive to heat alone.
NuLids microblepharoexfoliation removes debris from the lash base that drives gland blockage.
Early treatment prevents permanent gland atrophy. If dry eye has been a recurring problem, call (845) 255-4696 to schedule a dry eye evaluation at our New Paltz office.
Harnos Optometry provides expert eye care for the whole family. New patients welcome — book online 24/7.
222 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561 · (845) 255-4696
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