Lots of white foam or mucus discharge in the canthi (corners) of both eyes - MGD

[JakeH1979]

Hello DEZ members

New to this forum. The fundamental problem I have is.... I get a considerable amount of white foam/froth or mucus in the canthi (corners) of both eyes non stop throughout the day - photos below:



It is particularly bad in warm environments (central heating, sunlight) and after closing eyes. It is also bad after being in cold wind or when stressed.

I’ve been told its MGD with saponification caused by staph bacteria (my meibomium glands often have to be squeezed like thick toothpaste every 6 months at my optometrist).

Treatments tried in the past
Warm compresses
Commercial lid scrubs (Ocusoft, Tea Tree etc)
Preservative free lubricating drops (Theoloz, Systane, Hycosan)
Topical antibios (fucidic, azithro, chloramphenicol, metronidazole)
Systemic antibios (doxy, azithro, traditional oxytet) – the latter provided some relief.
IPL
Meibomium Gland squeezing with paddle regularly at Optometrist
Blephex
Zero touching of the eye for many months (incase it was MFS)

Current regimen
Ocusoft hypoclor lid cleaning with cotton pads morning and eve (Hypoclorous acid).
Heat plus gentle lid massage twice a day with USB heated eye mask
Hycosan Shield drops (Perflurohexyloctane)
Systane Ultra UD vial before bed.

The current regimen is the best I've had in a while (incase that helps anyone) but still I have problems socialising face to face as there may well be white goop in my eye which makes life quite difficult at times. Anyone ever sorted this rare and miserable problem?

[SandraNabora]

Hello. I’ve been having the same problem for 6 months now, I’ve seen 4 different doctors in that time and none of them helped. Did you find out what it really was and have you gotten a permanent solution?

[JakeH1979]

Hi Sandra - I had actually quit Dry Eye Zone as I never got a response to the above at all but saw your message in my emails and thought I'd log on to help you. It's not a nice problem is it, as it affects social interactions. I think a permanent solution is very tricky. Mine is MGD with saponification of the less than ideal tear film lipids by staph bacteria... and MGD isn't really curable thus far. I have had more success recently with a simpler routine of using optase protect (hypoclorous acid) morning and night (wiping the lids with a cotton pad with it sprayed on), combined with systane ultra ud (the single dose vials) before bed. I find stopping the heat helped (although that is against conventional advice). I only do the lid massage/ heat thing for 10 mins once a week now. Let me know how you get on.

[SandraNabora]

Thank you so much for the reply, I didn’t think you’d see the message.
The heat didn’t help me either.
I’ll try using optase protect, never heard of it and not sure how easy it will be to find where I am, but I’ll make sure to use it. I’ve already used so many different drugs, I hope this will help even a little bit.
Thank you, I’ll keep you posted.

[JakeH1979]

Good luck Sandra and look forward to hearing from you. I'm in the UK where optase protect is easily available. In the states they have a similar thing called Avenova. Basically you're looking for the active ingredient hypochlorous acid.

[SandraNabora]

Unfortunately I’m in Tanzania and so far I haven’t been able to find it. I’ve tried looking at delivery options and it’s a bit expensive. But I’m desperate enough to spend money on it. I’ll tell you how it goes.

[Bobby963]

Hello

How did this started for you ?

I also have similar issue for more than a year now.

It s a very difficult issue to have I relate to how you mention it can affect social interaction having to constantly be conscious of possible goop in the corner of the eye while talking to people. When it doesn’t go away on its own or after antibiotics treatment than There is definitely a
A dry eye/MGD component to it.

What has helped the most was Manuka Honey Gel, greatly reduced it.
Just a few weeks on it is all that is needed, than maybe in case of a sudden flair.
give it a go it will burn but that will subdue with usages.
Good luck

[SandraNabora]

Thanks for the input.
Mine started suddenly, on and off at first but now it’s almost always there.
I’ll give the honey a try. Just reducing it would be a good start. Thank you. Goodluck to you too.

[Filexjohn]

Hello

How did this started for you ?

I also have similar issue for more than a year now.

It s a very difficult issue to have I relate to how you mention it can affect social interaction having to constantly be conscious of possible goop in the corner of the eye while talking to people. When it doesn’t go away on its own or after antibiotics treatment than There is definitely a
A dry eye/MGD component to it.

What has helped the most was Manuka Honey Gel, greatly reduced it.
Just a few weeks on it is all that is needed, than maybe in case of a sudden flair.
give it a go it will burn but that will subdue with usages.
Good luck

I have the same issue as yours. It is really stressful as you are always conscious about it. I tried systane lubricant eye ointment. It really helps with the discharge and other symptoms. Better to use it when you go to bed

i will give it a go when i find the honey gel.

[JakeH1979]

Thanks Bobby963 - I'll give the manuka a go for a few weeks and report back. I had some success over the last couple of years with low light therapy, specifically blue, at my optometrists (not all have the latest tech). But I always seem to relapse... at least a few things in the arsenal will help. Best, Jake