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I am fairly new to this forum but have recently managed my MGD/dry eyes quite well. They are not 100% but they are A LOT better than they were. The following is just my unqualified advice based on my own experiences.
Here is what has worked for me.
Heat treatment
The first ophthalmologist I saw casually told me to use a warm compress (cooled boiled water and a clean flannel) twice daily for two minutes and that my dry eye would be resolved within two weeks!
In my opinion there are two much better ways to apply heat to blocked glands. I use a combination of both depending on how severe my MGD is.
1. MGD eye bag – I use this for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening and find it quite effective for maintaining functioning glands.
2. Steaming – I discovered this technique whilst waiting for some boiled water to cool to use with a flannel as a warm compress. I fill my bathroom sink with boiling water then (eyes closed) I put my face over the steaming water and cover my head with a large towel. I have found this far more effective for clearing blocked glands.
Lid scrubs
Straight after heat treatment I scrub my eyelids firmly with Ocusoft lid scrubs. I had been using these scrubs with the Ocusoft foam but have recently switched to using Blephasol lotion which I have found much more effective.
Blephasol
I came across this product when ordering ocusoft products on amazon. It had some really amazing reviews which naturally I distrusted. However I have started to use blephasol as described above and also with a cotton pad to clean my eyelids and eye lashes twice daily. I was advised by an ophthalmologist recently that this may be effective due to a compound in Blephasol that helps break down toxins. Whatever it is it seems to be working for me although not quite as well as all the five star reviews on amazon will have you believe!
The above (heat treatment, lids scrubs and Blephasol) have definitely worked for me but they are by no means the only things I have tried. Below are some other things I have tried with varying levels of success.
Antihistamine
When I first had problems with dry eyes my GP suggested that it might be allergenic. I started taking daily antihistamine but eyes did not improve so I ruled out an allergic reaction.
However looking back I don’t think it is as simple as that. As an allergy may exacerbate my MGD or vice versa. Now that I have my MGD somewhat under control I am taking antihistamine again to see if it helps.
Eye drops
I have tried a number of eye drops but have actually had the most success using the less is more approach! Severe dry eye can be very dangerous and can ultimately cause long term damage to the eye however paradoxically too many artificial tears (and the preservatives within) made me not only dependant on the eye drops but also might have made them worse.
Whenever my eyes have been dry I have tried to moisten my eye naturally using heat treatment and scrubbing rather than using artificial tears. However I appreciate sometimes the eyes need additional lubrication so I now have prescription preservative-free eye drops which I am starting to use.
I am no expert but I think any artificial tears that are suitable for contact wearers should be preservative free and I know Blink do some. Please somebody correct me if I am wrong.
Flaxseeds
I have taken flaxseed supplements on and off and with varying levels of success. I was in Canada during winter when the air was very dry and found flaxseed oil helped although I have tried using them at home and they have had little or no effect. Perhaps I haven’t been using them for long enough?
Sometimes I wonder do the meibomian glands block because they produce too much oil or not enough or not the correct consistency? I don’t know but I imagine what works for one person might not work for another.
However I would be interested in any supplement/diet related success stories or any supplement/diet related advice? I would like to figure out which supplements could help my dry eye.
Other tips
See a specialist ASAP – I had MGD for over a year before it was correctly diagnosed and wish I had seen a specialist earlier. GPs are okay but they can only advise “general” problems, specialists deal with eyes every day.
Be methodical – try different techniques and try and work out which things work for you and which don’t. It may help to keep a diary to help find out when your eyes are at their best or worst.
Do not give up – Every problem has a solution. The human body is complex and everyone is different; what works for someone might not work for you. However through trial and error you will find what works for you. You will get there eventually.
Here is what has worked for me.
Heat treatment
The first ophthalmologist I saw casually told me to use a warm compress (cooled boiled water and a clean flannel) twice daily for two minutes and that my dry eye would be resolved within two weeks!
In my opinion there are two much better ways to apply heat to blocked glands. I use a combination of both depending on how severe my MGD is.
1. MGD eye bag – I use this for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening and find it quite effective for maintaining functioning glands.
2. Steaming – I discovered this technique whilst waiting for some boiled water to cool to use with a flannel as a warm compress. I fill my bathroom sink with boiling water then (eyes closed) I put my face over the steaming water and cover my head with a large towel. I have found this far more effective for clearing blocked glands.
Lid scrubs
Straight after heat treatment I scrub my eyelids firmly with Ocusoft lid scrubs. I had been using these scrubs with the Ocusoft foam but have recently switched to using Blephasol lotion which I have found much more effective.
Blephasol
I came across this product when ordering ocusoft products on amazon. It had some really amazing reviews which naturally I distrusted. However I have started to use blephasol as described above and also with a cotton pad to clean my eyelids and eye lashes twice daily. I was advised by an ophthalmologist recently that this may be effective due to a compound in Blephasol that helps break down toxins. Whatever it is it seems to be working for me although not quite as well as all the five star reviews on amazon will have you believe!
The above (heat treatment, lids scrubs and Blephasol) have definitely worked for me but they are by no means the only things I have tried. Below are some other things I have tried with varying levels of success.
Antihistamine
When I first had problems with dry eyes my GP suggested that it might be allergenic. I started taking daily antihistamine but eyes did not improve so I ruled out an allergic reaction.
However looking back I don’t think it is as simple as that. As an allergy may exacerbate my MGD or vice versa. Now that I have my MGD somewhat under control I am taking antihistamine again to see if it helps.
Eye drops
I have tried a number of eye drops but have actually had the most success using the less is more approach! Severe dry eye can be very dangerous and can ultimately cause long term damage to the eye however paradoxically too many artificial tears (and the preservatives within) made me not only dependant on the eye drops but also might have made them worse.
Whenever my eyes have been dry I have tried to moisten my eye naturally using heat treatment and scrubbing rather than using artificial tears. However I appreciate sometimes the eyes need additional lubrication so I now have prescription preservative-free eye drops which I am starting to use.
I am no expert but I think any artificial tears that are suitable for contact wearers should be preservative free and I know Blink do some. Please somebody correct me if I am wrong.
Flaxseeds
I have taken flaxseed supplements on and off and with varying levels of success. I was in Canada during winter when the air was very dry and found flaxseed oil helped although I have tried using them at home and they have had little or no effect. Perhaps I haven’t been using them for long enough?
Sometimes I wonder do the meibomian glands block because they produce too much oil or not enough or not the correct consistency? I don’t know but I imagine what works for one person might not work for another.
However I would be interested in any supplement/diet related success stories or any supplement/diet related advice? I would like to figure out which supplements could help my dry eye.
Other tips
See a specialist ASAP – I had MGD for over a year before it was correctly diagnosed and wish I had seen a specialist earlier. GPs are okay but they can only advise “general” problems, specialists deal with eyes every day.
Be methodical – try different techniques and try and work out which things work for you and which don’t. It may help to keep a diary to help find out when your eyes are at their best or worst.
Do not give up – Every problem has a solution. The human body is complex and everyone is different; what works for someone might not work for you. However through trial and error you will find what works for you. You will get there eventually.
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