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There's been a lot of talk about this on the BB lately - methods, tools, etc - and I'm sure there is much more yet to come. You all know how near & dear meibomian glands are to me so I want to promote as much information flow as possible about them.
However, I have a concern about some recent developments and I'm going to just put my opinion out there for all of you to see, and you can take it or leave it.
Clearly, expressing meibomian glands may be done in a lot of ways and with varying results depending on the method and the patient's condition.
BUT IN MY OPINION:
- There should not be any huge mystique to the method.
- There should not be any exhorbitant cost involved.
I say this because I've seen an awful lot over the years with trends and excitement over this treatment or that. I've seen people virtually stampeding to the office of this quack or that on the basis of as little as a single unvalidated report of a good result in an internet forum. I understand people's excitement and anxiety to try things that might help but I also do not want to see people taken advantage of. It absolutely makes me cringe to think that a board I am in some sense responsible for can, more or less just by being here, become a means of promoting certain types of things. Some things seem harmless enough and I ignore them; others make me really cringe; others make me want to stand up and shout (especially if they involve or verge on surgery of any kind). (Those who know me well might have correctly guessed by now that I'm feeling excessively aggravated by yet another report from an anything-but-deep-pocketed patient who has spent five figures on AMT to no avail. But I digress.)
So, everyone, please, please be cautious - give things time, and don't be in a hurry to believe things. Get as much information as possible and get input from others - including other doctors.
However, I have a concern about some recent developments and I'm going to just put my opinion out there for all of you to see, and you can take it or leave it.
Clearly, expressing meibomian glands may be done in a lot of ways and with varying results depending on the method and the patient's condition.
BUT IN MY OPINION:
- There should not be any huge mystique to the method.
- There should not be any exhorbitant cost involved.
I say this because I've seen an awful lot over the years with trends and excitement over this treatment or that. I've seen people virtually stampeding to the office of this quack or that on the basis of as little as a single unvalidated report of a good result in an internet forum. I understand people's excitement and anxiety to try things that might help but I also do not want to see people taken advantage of. It absolutely makes me cringe to think that a board I am in some sense responsible for can, more or less just by being here, become a means of promoting certain types of things. Some things seem harmless enough and I ignore them; others make me really cringe; others make me want to stand up and shout (especially if they involve or verge on surgery of any kind). (Those who know me well might have correctly guessed by now that I'm feeling excessively aggravated by yet another report from an anything-but-deep-pocketed patient who has spent five figures on AMT to no avail. But I digress.)
So, everyone, please, please be cautious - give things time, and don't be in a hurry to believe things. Get as much information as possible and get input from others - including other doctors.
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