{"id":43743,"date":"2025-06-18T08:34:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/?post_type=vision&#038;p=43743"},"modified":"2025-11-07T09:35:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T09:35:49","slug":"meibomian-dysfunction","status":"publish","type":"vision","link":"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-conditions\/meibomian-dysfunction\/","title":{"rendered":"Meibomian Gland Dysfunction"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"43743\" class=\"elementor elementor-43743\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d0ed40 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3d0ed40\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0adcada cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0adcada\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/eyelid-support\/meibomian\/\">Treatment<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-278fd98d e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"278fd98d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb62ff e-n-tabs-mobile cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-tabs\" data-id=\"cb62ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;tabs_justify_horizontal&quot;:&quot;start&quot;,&quot;horizontal_scroll&quot;:&quot;disable&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs\" data-widget-number=\"13329151\" aria-label=\"Tabs. Open items with Enter or Space, close with Escape and navigate using the Arrow keys.\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs-heading\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291511\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291511\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab-index=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-133291511\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tEye protection\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291512\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291512\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-133291512\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 2;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tMeibomian Glands\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291513\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291513\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-133291513\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 3;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tSymptoms\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291514\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291514\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-133291514\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 4;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tCauses\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291515\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-133291515\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-133291515\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 5;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tRelated conditions\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-133291511\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-133291511\" data-tab-index=\"1\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 1;\" class=\"e-active elementor-element elementor-element-2a85358f e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2a85358f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30519ff4 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30519ff4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25755a2a elementor-widget__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25755a2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"what\">Three Layers Protect the Eye Surface<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18c530f4 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"18c530f4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cb044f4 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cb044f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The moisture-laden surface of the eye contains three interrelated layers known as the tear film. Stable continuity of that surface and the production of tears rely on the function of these three layers, which need to be produced in proper balanced amounts by the body to avoid dry eye syndrome:<\/p><ul><li>The innermost layer of the surface of the eye is a mucous layer that forms the bulk of the tears and contains electrolytes, a variety of proteins, and water. It also has some anti-microbial properties.<\/li><li>On top, on the outside of the mucous layer, is a mildly alkaline aqueous layer (watery) comprising up to 90% of the thickness of the tear film.<\/li><li>Outside the watery layer is an oily lipid layer that slows evaporation of the tear film. This thin layer is made up of meibum, produced by the meibomian gland.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61da6ce1 elementor-widget-widescreen__width-initial elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"61da6ce1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"355\" src=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/meibomian.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-61850\" alt=\"meibomian\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/meibomian.webp 400w, https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/meibomian-300x266.webp 300w, https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/meibomian-338x300.webp 338w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-133291512\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-133291512\" data-tab-index=\"2\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 2;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-7110397 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7110397\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33d8fe21 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33d8fe21\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d0f043f elementor-widget__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d0f043f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"gland\">Meibomian Glands<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29bf4a3d e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"29bf4a3d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec6f2ed cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec6f2ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Meibomian glands, also known as tarsal glands, are located along the edge of the eyelids. They are an essential part of the eye, keeping it healthy and lubricated. They secrete fatty and oily meibum, and with every blink (with help from a tiny muscle called the Riolan&#8217;s muscle), they spread a thin layer over the tear film to slow the tear film&#8217;s evaporation. Meibum also lowers tear-film surface tension so that the tear film remains contoured to the surface of the eye and tears don&#8217;t spill down to the cheeks. It makes the eyelid airtight when closed.<\/p><p>Meibomian glands are located on both the upper (about 50 glands) and lower (about 25 glands) eyelids. Meibum is also produced by the Zeis and Moll glands. Meibum is fluid at body temperature. It slows tear film evaporation and\u00a0<strong>Glands of Zeis<\/strong>\u00a0are also sebaceous (oil) glands that protect the surface of the eyelid, adding a protective layer to the top of the tear film. These glands secrete sebum to the middle section of the eyelash follicle, keeping it lubricated, and keeping the eyelashes from becoming brittle.<\/p><p><strong>Glands of Moll<\/strong>\u00a0are located at the base of the eyelashes. They are modified sweat glands, secreting sebum. However, unlike Zeis glands, these secretions contain immune system ingredients: the enzyme lysozyme, mucin 1, and immunoglobulin A, which suggest that they are part of the localized eyelid immune system. Their function is not precisely known, but they may be protecting against pathogens on the surface of the eye. Further research supports this hypothesis with the discovery of additional immune-system components.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-133291513\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-133291513\" data-tab-index=\"3\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 3;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-304b123d e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"304b123d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-304d9c51 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"304d9c51\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b4bb0f1 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b4bb0f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"symptoms\">Symptoms<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51f762d8 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51f762d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Symptoms include red and\/or itchy eyes, dry eyes, feeling grittiness, sometimes blurred vision. Your eyes may feel heavy. Your doctor can determine whether you have this condition. One test she may do is to press the eyelids to release some meibum. A diagnostic tool standardizes the amount of force needed to express meibum from the meibomian glands. The tool makes it easier for your doctor to assess not only whether there is a problem, but the severity.<\/p><p>Because meibomian dysfunction impacts the quality of your tear film, your doctor will also need to assess the quality, stability, and quantity of your tears. A common test is the tear breakup time (TBUT) test. Your doctor will add a slight amount of dye to the surface of your eyes and then examine your eyes with a light that makes your tears glow (cobalt blue light) to see how quickly the dye dissipates indicating tear film stability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-133291514\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-133291514\" data-tab-index=\"4\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 4;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-2ba275a5 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ba275a5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44448de6 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"44448de6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92ed7a1 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92ed7a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"causes\">Causes<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-146f7589 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"146f7589\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Retinoids used in cosmetics<\/strong>\u00a0promote meibomian dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Microscopic demodex mite infection.<\/strong>\u00a0Demodex brevis lives in the meibomian glands. Demodex folliculorum specializes in the area around the eyelids and eyelashes where it feeds on skin cells and increases the number of skin cells on the surface of the eyelash. To further the self-reinforcing cycle of dysfunction, these mites carry bacteria that stimulate enzymes that degrade cellular proteins.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Contact lenses.<\/strong>\u00a0Researchers have noted that meibomian gland alterations are linked to contact lens use and that discontinuing such usage doesn&#8217;t eliminate the changes. Wearing soft contact lenses appears to cause a thickening of meibomian glands with consequent dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Ocular microbiome.<\/strong>\u00a0One study evaluated 157 subjects, who had mild (41) or moderate-to-severe (50) meibomian gland dysfunction. Bacteria were collected from their eyelids. Anterior blepharitis was not an independent indicator of dysfunction, but the presence of staphylococcus aureus was higher than anticipated, and coagulase-negative staphylococcus, corynebacterium and streptococci were lower than expected. The researchers concluded that similar ocular surface microbiome profiles suggested some common treatment possibilities.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Ductal hyperkeratinization<\/strong>\u00a0is the inability of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle to periodically slough off from the lining. It is mechanically involved in meibomian gland problems but does not appear to be a cause (at least in a mouse model).<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Thyroid disease.<\/strong>\u00a0Researchers have noted that patients with thyroid disease experience incomplete blinking (not completely closing the eyelid) and loss of meibomian gland structure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-133291515\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-133291515\" data-tab-index=\"5\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 5;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-2ac9903 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ac9903\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a20c29f e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a20c29f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62706080 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62706080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"related\">Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Other Eye Conditions<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64235f49 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64235f49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Most\u00a0<strong>dry eye symptoms<\/strong>\u00a0have to do with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This occurs when natural oil produced by the lacrimal gland is either (a) blocked by the ducts along the upper and lower lids (25\u201330 in each lid), or (b) blocked along the openings at the lid margin. These oils produce the top layer of the tear film called the oil layer. When not secreted properly, tears evaporate more quickly causing dry eyes.<\/p>\n\n<p>Meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause of posterior\u00a0<strong>blepharitis<\/strong>; although it may also contribute to anterior blepharitis.<\/p>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Anterior blepharitis is found on the front and outside of the eyelid along the line of eyelashes. Bacteria and scalp dandruff are the most common causes of the inflammation there. Increased meibomian gland activity may also occur.<\/li>\n \t<li>Posterior blepharitis is found on the innermost part of the eyelid that touches the eyeball. It occurs when the meibomian glands are not functioning properly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Two\u00a0<strong>skin disorders<\/strong>\u00a0can also cause posterior blepharitis: scalp dandruff and acne rosacea.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Chalazia<\/strong>\u00a0occur when an oil gland becomes blocked; and can arise from meibomian gland dysfunction. A chalazion, or meibomian cyst, is a bump (similar to a stye) that occurs due to a blocked and inflamed meibomian or Zeis gland on the eyelid. Chalazia are more common in adults than children and most frequently occur in people aged 30-50, presumably because of hormone changes.<\/p>\n\n<p>Chalazia are not caused by infection. Rather they are caused by foreign body cell reactions with the oily sebum secreted by the meibomian glands. Chalazia usually, but not always, do not involve redness, soreness, and swelling. Twenty-five percent of chalazia show no symptoms other than the visible bump, and they usually disappear without treatment. But they can grow to a bothersome size and even blur vision, because they distort the shape of the eye. Chalazia tend to take longer than styes to resolve, sometimes up to several months.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Styes<\/strong>\u00a0are the result of a bacterial infection of the meibomian glands, or the glands of Zeis and Moll (glands supplying oil to the eyelashes). Staph infections are usually the cause. This means that styes almost always involve redness, soreness, and localized swelling in the eye, which is not typically the case with chalazia. Styes are tender and painful to the touch. Ordinarily, they swell for about three days, and then they break open and drain, with healing usually occurring within a week.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Ocular Rosacea.<\/strong>\u00a0In the healthy eye, oily meibum covers the surface of the cornea, helping to slow evaporation of tears. But increased toxic and irritating biochemicals (proinflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase) cause the meibum to thicken that in turn reduces its ability to protect the tear film. In this way, the process toward chronic inflammation reinforces itself. Chronic inflammation in turn, suppresses meibomian gland function that further reinforces development of ocular rosacea, not to mention dry eye syndrome.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1157841 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1157841\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b5209a cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b5209a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meibomian dysfunction news<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ac0672 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ac0672\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want to learn more? See our blog\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/?s=meibomian\">news on meibomian dysfunction and the meibomian gland<\/a>.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/menu-terms.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> Next:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/eyelid-support\/meibomian\/\">treatment options for meibomian glands<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Treatment Eye protection Meibomian Glands Symptoms Causes Related conditions Three Layers Protect the Eye Surface The moisture-laden surface of the eye contains three interrelated layers known as the tear film. Stable continuity of that surface and the production of tears rely on the function of these three layers, which need to be produced in proper&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-43743","vision","type-vision","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Information, Symptoms &amp; Treatment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about symptoms, causes &amp; natural treatment alternatives for meibomian gland dysfunction, a factor in dry eye and other eyelid conditions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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