Can you "see" the oil/pregnancy

[MissP]

I am a relatively new poster. I was told I had MGD recently. I had chalazion and blepharitis until two years ago. Then I tried Restasis and all signs of both went away. I thought I was done with all this business until I got something called giant papillary conjunctivitis this summer. Up until then I would wear contacts through anything. Not so now. Now, my doc tells me my allergies are calming down, but that I have MGD.

I am perplexed since I don't have the blepharitis or chalazion any more, but my eyes do indeed burn. My doc said that when he pushed on my glands, they barely expressed any oil. So of course, I had to try this at home.....I cannot see oil for the life of me! Can anyone else see when they express oil or do they just feel it?

Also, do you think I am at the "next stage" of the disease - "burned myself out of the infections" or have I progressed to the "next stage" - no infections, just no oil. I am 32 and don't have any of the systemic diseases. How many years has eveyone else on the forum logged with MGD? Does it get better?

Also, has anyone on the forum been through pregnancy with this? I am thinking about trying to conceive, but am I bit frightened to get off Doxy. I was on E-mycian before without nearly so much success

Sorry for the rambling questions....and thanks for your help!
Miss P

[Missy]

I have similar problem. I was told by my doctor that I have chronic blepharitis, which I believe is really just MGD since my main problem is that my oil glands are clogged. I didn't know that I even had this until after lasik nine months ago when my eyes became VERY dry and irritated. I saw my doctor today and he said that the dryness (dry spots) on my eyes are looking better, but that my oil glands are still clogged. I've been on doxycycline for 3 months and I'm also concerned b/c eventually I want to try and get pregnant but I'm afraid of what will happen with my eyes.

MissP - Does your doctor have you doing anything besides the Doxy to help with the MGD? I'm also doing lid scrubs, compresses, and taking Thera Tears Nutrition.

Missy

[Rebecca Petris]

Can anyone else see when they express oil or do they just feel it?

I don't really see it (not that I've looked that much...) but when I do a really good rice baggy compress I can sure feel it. Gotta melt that stuff down to get it out.

How many years has eveyone else on the forum logged with MGD? Does it get better?

Tough to say. I think for a lot of us at least some long-term maintenance will be required - what varies is the level. For some, lid hygiene and supplements is enough. Others need compresses daily, and still others need a regular boost of oral antibiotic.

Also, has anyone on the forum been through pregnancy with this?

Lots of them actually. It's tough to have to choose, isn't it? But I sure don't know anybody that regretted going ahead with it! Maybe between Omega 3s and compresses and gland expression things can be maintained sufficiently, plus other non drug methods (protective eyewear, humidifiers etc) to maintain an acceptable level of corneal health & comfort?

I got pregnant while in my worst dry eye period, just about the time I was thinking of going on doxy. My third trimester was not exactly fun eyewise. But I did make it through without scratching my eyes out.

[MissP]

Thank you

Thank you to everyone. Some doctors have insinauted that pregnancy can do one of two things - make it better or make it worse. As for the lid scrubs, because I have such bad allergies, I have been told NOT to do this - was told scrubbing would irritate more.

I am a relatively new poster. I was told I had MGD recently. I had chalazion and blepharitis until two years ago. Then I tried Restasis and all signs of both went away. I thought I was done with all this business until I got something called giant papillary conjunctivitis this summer. Up until then I would wear contacts through anything. Not so now. Now, my doc tells me my allergies are calming down, but that I have MGD.

I am perplexed since I don't have the blepharitis or chalazion any more, but my eyes do indeed burn. My doc said that when he pushed on my glands, they barely expressed any oil. So of course, I had to try this at home.....I cannot see oil for the life of me! Can anyone else see when they express oil or do they just feel it?

Also, do you think I am at the "next stage" of the disease - "burned myself out of the infections" or have I progressed to the "next stage" - no infections, just no oil. I am 32 and don't have any of the systemic diseases. How many years has eveyone else on the forum logged with MGD? Does it get better?

Also, has anyone on the forum been through pregnancy with this? I am thinking about trying to conceive, but am I bit frightened to get off Doxy. I was on E-mycian before without nearly so much success

Sorry for the rambling questions....and thanks for your help!
Miss P

[SusieD]

Scrubbing will irritate even if you dont have allergies - gentle cleaning shouldnt.