Are Dry Eyes Always Caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

If you struggle with dry eyes, you’ve likely already heard of the meibomian gland. This important vessel is located right at the edge of your eyelid, and it’s what releases the oil that mixes with your tears to keep the eyes lubricated. When it’s clogged or otherwise malfunctioning, the result is the familiar itching, burning, and irritation of dry eyes. However, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is not the only thing that can cause this disorder. We’ll look at what you should know and why it matters if you want to treat your dry eye in Weston, FL.

How Your Eyes Work

Your tears are often described as saltwater, but this is a simplification of what’s actually coming from your eyes. Oil, mucus, and water are all making up essential components of the film. When the balance is off, this is when you’ll experience dry eye. (This also explains why you can produce plenty of tears and your eyes still feel dry.) If you’re having trouble with the lacrimal glands, otherwise known as the glands that produce the water, or the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane in the eyelids, then you would still have dry eyes.

What Causes Dry Eyes in Weston, FL

It’s worth noting that MGD typically does cause the majority of dry eye cases. However, certain medications as well as certain disorders, like diabetes, can impede the lacrimal glands that produce the water for your tears. Herein lies the problem: there is some degree of overlap between the causes of dry eye. For instance, aging can cause either MGD or the lacrimal glands to stop working. This is why it’s important not to try to solve these issues on your own. It’s easy to waste money on eye drops or other solutions, like dry eye masks, when you’re actually treating the wrong problem.

Finding the Right Eye Care

If you’re looking for dry eye relief in Weston, Rouse Family Eye Care has the resources you need to get lasting results. It all starts with diagnosing the problem and what’s causing it. Some things can’t be helped, but for others, it can be as simple as adjusting how you look at your screens. Contact us today if you’re looking for an eye doctor in Weston, FL who specializes in dry eye.