Idea for future MGD clearing

[justbob]

Random thought, I imagine it might be possible to create an eye drop that dissolves meibum on contact (similar to drops that dissolve ear wax). Anyone else got any dream ideas? Maybe we might get lucky and inspire something.

[justbob]

I just listened to a program on genetic engineering and it sounds like even with current technology creating something like a bacteria that eats bad meibum (or to farm for meibum cleaving enzymes) might be possible. If they could just spend a fraction of money spent on protecting astronauts from cancer on dry eye (or we can wait a few years and some kid in a garage can do it for cheap). Program is "horizon - playing god" available on bbc iplayer, I suggest you all check it out.

[savino]

..............

[xpro]

Random thought, I imagine it might be possible to create an eye drop that dissolves meibum on contact (similar to drops that dissolve ear wax). Anyone else got any dream ideas? Maybe we might get lucky and inspire something.

I think most of the time it is not meibum that is blocking the gland but it is fibrotic band.

[justbob]

Call me a conspiracy theorist but I think so little research is being done about dry eye and particularly meibomian gland dysfunction is simply because DES is a very lucrative business. Just think about how much money people spend on doctors, drops, antibiotics, treatments and other remedies. It's a multi million dollar business. I've personally spent a little over 1600€ in 16 months just for dry eye. Ophthalmologists love thee word "chronic" because they know you'll provide them with a steady cash income.

I agree with you.

I've dealt with 4 completely incapable ophthalmologists who could not explain a single thing about my dry eye and wouldn't listen when I tried to explain the misery that I was in. If I was given the proper treatment when needed I'd be free of dry eye, there is no doubt in my mind. I believe that 80% of ophthalmologist have no clue how properly assess and treat dry eye.

I was also in similar situation, it was so easy to fix at one point, but the level of respect and attention wasn't there (worse when you consider they know the options to fix things are limited). In last 2 weeks I saw 2 docs, 1 who says my meibomiam gland disease has cleared up and it's psychosomatic (wanted me to stop everything cold turkey!), another who measured TBUT 1,3 and I have some blocked glands. If this was some cute 8 year old girl with leukemia and doctors got it this wrong it would be in newspapers.

There are no unsolvable problems there is only a lack of knowledge that prevents the problem from being solved.

Eventually there'll be too much related knowledge that can be put together by smaller groups who are motivated. Or maybe we'll get lucky and a new technology/drug will give 30% of the 1st world dry eye (day of the dry eye triffids?) and suddenly he motive will be there.

I think most of the time it is not meibum that is blocking the gland but it is fibrotic band.

How does that happen? Surely must take time to form.

[lizlou29]

I agree with you.


I was also in similar situation, it was so easy to fix at one point, but the level of respect and attention wasn't there (worse when you consider they know the options to fix things are limited). In last 2 weeks I saw 2 docs, 1 who says my meibomiam gland disease has cleared up and it's psychosomatic (wanted me to stop everything cold turkey!), another who measured TBUT 1,3 and I have some blocked glands. If this was some cute 8 year old girl with leukemia and doctors got it this wrong it would be in newspapers.


Eventually there'll be too much related knowledge that can be put together by smaller groups who are motivated. Or maybe we'll get lucky and a new technology/drug will give 30% of the 1st world dry eye (day of the dry eye triffids?) and suddenly he motive will be there.

I know it isn't a laughing matter but I love your wit Justbob.

[justbob]

I know it isn't a laughing matter but I love your wit Justbob.

Thanks, I take it as seriously as everyone else of course.

[xpro]

I agree with you.


I was also in similar situation, it was so easy to fix at one point, but the level of respect and attention wasn't there (worse when you consider they know the options to fix things are limited). In last 2 weeks I saw 2 docs, 1 who says my meibomiam gland disease has cleared up and it's psychosomatic (wanted me to stop everything cold turkey!), another who measured TBUT 1,3 and I have some blocked glands. If this was some cute 8 year old girl with leukemia and doctors got it this wrong it would be in newspapers.


Eventually there'll be too much related knowledge that can be put together by smaller groups who are motivated. Or maybe we'll get lucky and a new technology/drug will give 30% of the 1st world dry eye (day of the dry eye triffids?) and suddenly he motive will be there.


How does that happen? Surely must take time to form.

I think inflammation is the cause. But not sure

[justbob]

I think inflammation is the cause. But not sure

I assume that comes later, from my experience there was a noticeable drop in output and quality right away with just slight inflammation, I guess prompt treatment is essential then?