Which came first...the inflammation or the MGD?

[Rory]

I wonder are the majority of us suffering MGD due to inflammation or inflammation due to MGD?

I do like to try and simplify complex problems. If the majority of MGD sufferering is caused by T-cells inflaming and blocking meibomiam glands (re Dr Latkany's book)...surely lid hygiene and the Eye spa treatment is a constant neverending battle? What is causing this inflammation in the first place....and how do we address this problem rather than merely try to control the symptoms?

Dr Latkany in his book says that the T-cell activation could have been sparked by anything from a bad cold to a thyroid condition ro rheumatoid arthritis. Is this T-cell inspired inflammation perpetual from a bad cold?

Or did the egg come first? i.e our glands are inflamed due to the blockages being caused by something else, such as polar lipids disrupting the normal clear flowing oil and creating a thicker more viscous substance which blocks the glands..and thus causes inflammation of the eyelids/glands.

As you can see, I like to think aloud on monday mornings, and ramble nonsensically.

Thank you for listening.

Rory

[Brighteyes]

Rory,

Great question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. Can't get a straight answer from any docs though. Hopefully someone on this site can help...

[indrep]

According to the Dry Eye Workshop Report printed in April 2007, mostly likely (there are other situations where it would be secondary to tear film instability)the MGD came first. Disrupting the tear film, creating tear hyperosmolarity that opens the signaling pathways to the brain and then inflammation.

[Lucy]

I still think it's roulette and the color of socks you're wearing on a particular day. No socks works in the mix too, somehow. Lucy

[NYer]

Lucy loves socks, LOL!

[Lucy]

When you live in Michigan, it's a must. Wind chill temp last night -15. Brrr

[NYer]

We had -10 in NY...I guess we were tropical compared to you.

[atta]

Dry eyes come first

First I got very dry eyes and I used artificial tears, and after about 2 months, I saw I got red eyes all the time ( It might have started earlier). I think red eyes are mainly due to inflammation. After 1 or 2 years, I got chron. inflammation.

[sazy123]

I wonder are the majority of us suffering MGD due to inflammation or inflammation due to MGD?

I do like to try and simplify complex problems. If the majority of MGD sufferering is caused by T-cells inflaming and blocking meibomiam glands (re Dr Latkany's book)...surely lid hygiene and the Eye spa treatment is a constant neverending battle? What is causing this inflammation in the first place....and how do we address this problem rather than merely try to control the symptoms?

Dr Latkany in his book says that the T-cell activation could have been sparked by anything from a bad cold to a thyroid condition ro rheumatoid arthritis. Is this T-cell inspired inflammation perpetual from a bad cold?

Or did the egg come first? i.e our glands are inflamed due to the blockages being caused by something else, such as polar lipids disrupting the normal clear flowing oil and creating a thicker more viscous substance which blocks the glands..and thus causes inflammation of the eyelids/glands.

As you can see, I like to think aloud on monday mornings, and ramble nonsensically.

Thank you for listening.

Rory

Ive been thinking the same thing for ages.. what came first inflammation or MGD?

I can only assume MGD came first then inflammation is secondary to that and makes dry eye-worse. As i have tried everything which is supposed to tackle inflammation- doxy, restasis, progesterone cream, omega 3 etc and only P cream has helped but not substantially. So from that i think i had some inflammation- hence why P cream helped but thats not whats causing the problem so it didnt help substantially.

I asked DR L this before he said inflammation comes first, i dont think it does in my case anyway. And my glands are not blocked so god knows what came first, i think the MG's just malfunctioned first- but what caused that i dont know- there isnt really any literature on this apart from the usual ''inflammation/ blocked glands cause MGD''.