What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)? The Most Common Cause of Dry Eye
If you've been told you have dry eye disease, there's a good chance the real problem isn't a lack of tears—it's your meibomian glands.
These tiny oil-producing glands line the upper and lower eyelids and play a vital role in keeping your eyes comfortable. When they stop functioning properly, your tears evaporate too quickly, leaving the surface of your eyes dry and irritated.
This condition is known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), and it is one of the most common causes of dry eye disease.
What Do the Meibomian Glands Do?
Every time you blink, your meibomian glands release a thin layer of oil onto the tear film.
This oil slows evaporation and helps keep the eyes comfortable and vision clear.
When the glands become blocked or stop producing healthy oil, the tear film becomes unstable. As a result, the tears evaporate much faster than they should.
Symptoms of MGD
Symptoms can include:
Dry eyes
Burning or stinging
Watery eyes
Gritty sensation
Red eyes
Fluctuating vision
Tired eyes
Sensitivity to light
Contact lens discomfort
Many people are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye disease.
What Causes MGD?
Several factors can contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction, including:
Ageing
Hormonal changes, particularly during menopause
Blepharitis
Rosacea
Demodex mites
Long periods of screen use
Incomplete blinking
Contact lens wear
In many cases, more than one factor is involved.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
One of the biggest concerns with untreated MGD is that the glands can gradually become damaged over time.
When glands remain blocked for prolonged periods, they can begin to shrink and disappear—a process known as meibomian gland dropout.
Unfortunately, once a gland has been lost, it cannot currently be regenerated.
This is why early diagnosis and treatment are so important. The aim is to preserve healthy gland function before permanent damage occurs.
How Is MGD Diagnosed?
At The Dry Eye Suite, we use advanced diagnostic technology to assess the health of your meibomian glands.
One of the most valuable tests is meibography, which allows us to photograph the glands beneath your eyelids.
This enables us to identify:
Blocked glands
Gland dropout
Poor oil production
Changes associated with dry eye disease
These images help explain your symptoms and guide treatment decisions.
How Is MGD Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the health of your glands.
Following a comprehensive assessment, your personalised treatment plan may include:
Eyelid hygiene
Warm compresses
Blephasteam
ZEST eyelid treatment
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Meibomian gland expression
Nutritional advice
Home care recommendations
The goal is to improve gland function, reduce inflammation and slow further gland loss.
When Should You Seek Help?
If you're relying on eye drops every day but continue to experience dry, watery or irritated eyes, it may be time to investigate the underlying cause.
A specialist dry eye assessment can determine whether meibomian gland dysfunction is contributing to your symptoms and help identify the most appropriate treatment.