I can't see my meibomian glands! Should I be able to? Are they just GONE?

[eyes78]

So the Dr. yesterday said my secretions looked "like toothpaste". He pressed very lightly for maybe 5 seconds.

When I look closely in a magnified mirror, I see NOTHING. I'm so scared.

I just read an article in which an ophthalmologist said that when glands are blocked, heat and massage won't help. (didn't say what would help).

He also said many people's glands are "past the point of no return", that they've "dropped out" or I guess just don't exist anymore.

I'm terrified that this is me. Should I be able to see ANYTHING in the mirror?

Also, if I had no functioning glands, wouldn't that mean no oil and my tears would evaporate almost immediately? I know that's not happening, I can keep my eyes wide open for about 30 seconds before I feel the burn/sting (I'm much improved from 3 weeks ago when I was started on steroids, restasis, doxy)

[Rebecca Petris]

You would not have toothpaste secretions if your glands were gone. Please stop panicking Take that other ophthalmologist's word for what it is: one person's opinion, which just happens to fly in the face of an awful lot of published studies and prevailing medical opinion (and might I add common sense) about the role of heat and massage in keeping the glands clear.

Trying to self diagnose in the mirror is not the most helpful thing in the world. The dr is looking through a slitlamp and knows exactly what he's looking for... that's why we go to them

[eyes78]

I know I sound insane at this point - and you're right, I'm panicking. Ugh. I'm so sorry. I just read that Dr. saying some people are "past the point of no return" and I just lost it.
Thank you so much.

[Rebecca Petris]

Oh no worries. I get it. It's so hard isn't it. The burning can drive a person mad. It's really, really important to remember to call it quits on reading stuff online when needed. It's too easy to lose perspective when we are struggling with our eyes... we end up seeing only the possible bad news out there, all the things that *could* go wrong... we lose sight of how much more often things go right than wrong

Humph, listen to me, that sounds just like the sermon I need to preach to myself about my upcoming DCR.

[eyes78]

Thanks for understanding. Best of luck to you with your upcoming DCR.