From the Guidelines
The most effective treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction causing eyelid seborrheic dermatitis or blepharitis with associated symptoms of eyelid burning sensation is a combination of warm compresses, artificial tears, and eyelid cleansing, including eyelid massage to express the meibomian glands, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
Treatment Approach
The treatment approach should be tailored to the individual patient's needs and may involve a trial-and-error approach to find the most effective combination of treatments.
- Warm compresses can be applied to the eyelids for several minutes to soften adherent scurf and scales or discharge and/or warm the meibomian secretions.
- Artificial tears can be used to help lubricate the eyes and reduce symptoms of dryness and irritation.
- Eyelid cleansing can be accomplished by brief, gentle massage of the eyelids, and eye cleaners with hypochlorous acid at 0.01% have a strong antimicrobial effect.
Additional Considerations
It is essential to educate patients about the chronicity and recurrence of the disease process and the importance of compliance with a treatment regimen 1.
- Patients should be informed that symptoms can frequently be improved but are rarely eliminated.
- The treatment regimen should be tailored to the patient's ability to perform the treatment safely and effectively.
- Regularly performed eyelid cleansing, daily or several times weekly, can help blunt the symptoms of chronic blepharitis.
Key Takeaways
- A combination of warm compresses, artificial tears, and eyelid cleansing is the most effective treatment approach.
- The treatment approach should be tailored to the individual patient's needs.
- Patient education and compliance with the treatment regimen are crucial for successful management of meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis.
From the Research
Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on the treatment of eyelid burns, chemical burns, and reconstruction of the eyelids, rather than meibomian gland dysfunction causing eyelid seborrheic dermatitis or blepharitis with associated symptoms of eyelid burning sensation.
Related Studies on Eyelid Burns
- The management of eyelid burns involves early ophthalmic review and prophylactic ocular lubrication, as well as early surgical intervention if eyelid retraction causing corneal exposure occurs 2.
- Surgical management of deep chemical burns of the eyelids may involve release of contractures and grafts to prevent ectropion and exposure keratitis 3.
- The use of full-thickness skin grafts can prevent the development of recurrent cicatrical ectropion in patients with chemical burns of the eyelids 3.
- The prepuce can be used as a donor site for skin grafts in male patients with severe burns to the eyelid 4.
First Aid for Chemical Burns
- Immediate water lavage for 60 minutes is recommended as a first aid measure for chemical burns to the skin, as it may reduce the length of hospital stay and the extent of scarring 5.