{"id":5574,"date":"2026-09-09T14:17:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartdryeyes.com\/?page_id=5574"},"modified":"2026-09-21T09:51:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:51:49","slug":"meibomian-gland-expression","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smartdryeyes.com\/en\/meibomian-gland-expression\/","title":{"rendered":"Meibomian Gland Expression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n
\n
\"A<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n

Treatment<\/p>\n

Meibomian Gland Expression<\/h1>\n

Controlled emptying of blocked meibomian glands<\/p>\n

After controlled warming, targeted pressure is applied to the eyelids. This allows thickened secretion to be released from the meibomian glands and emptied through their excretory ducts at the lid margin. Heat improves the ability of the meibum to flow; expression then supports its release.<\/p>\n

Start your screening<\/a>All treatment options<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Treatment time<\/dt>
About 5 minutes<\/dd><\/div>
Treatment course<\/dt>
Depends on the individual findings<\/dd><\/div>
Preparation<\/dt>
Controlled warming of the eyelids<\/dd><\/div>
Downtime<\/dt>
Usually none<\/dd><\/div><\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
01<\/span><\/span><\/div>

What meibomian gland expression treats<\/h2><\/div>

The meibomian glands produce the oily meibum. In meibomian gland dysfunction, this secretion can become more viscous. At the same time, the gland openings can narrow or close, so that the meibum no longer reaches the lid margin unhindered.<\/p>

Under gentle pressure, a healthy gland releases clear, thin secretion<\/strong>. Where gland function is impaired, by contrast, the meibum is often cloudy, thickened or paste-like<\/strong>; in advanced cases, no secretion can be released at all.<\/p>

Expression supports the controlled emptying of these glands. As a rule it is carried out after sufficient warming, so that the thickened secretion can be mobilised more easily.<\/p>

\"Meibomian
The meibomian glands seen from the inner surface of the lids: vertical rows opening along the margin. Plate 895 from Gray\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> (1918), public domain.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
02<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Why a blocked gland often does not empty itself<\/h2>
Mechanism<\/figcaption>
  1. 01<\/span>Free-flowing secretion and an open excretory duct<\/span><\/li>
  2. 02<\/span>The meibum becomes more viscous<\/span><\/li>
  3. 03<\/span>Keratinisation and deposits narrow the gland openings<\/span><\/li>
  4. 04<\/span>The secretion builds up<\/span><\/li>
  5. 05<\/span>The gland can lose function<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/figure><\/div>

    For meibum to leave the glands, the secretion must flow sufficiently well and the excretory duct at the lid margin must be open. Every blink creates a slight natural pressure that is normally enough to release the fluid secretion.<\/p>

    In meibomian gland dysfunction, the composition of the meibum can change. It becomes more viscous and is transported less easily at normal eyelid temperature. At the same time, keratinisation and deposits can narrow the gland openings.<\/p>

    If a gland remains closed for a longer period, the secretion builds up. The gland can change structurally and progressively lose function. In meibography, such changes appear as shortened, thinned or missing gland structures.<\/p><\/div>

    Warming and expression fulfil different tasks: heat improves the ability to flow, controlled pressure supports emptying. Without sufficient warming, expression can be more uncomfortable and less effective.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

    Diagram: a healthy, a blocked and an expressed meibomian gland<\/title>Oil (meibum)<\/text>Waxy plug<\/text><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g>Base of the gland<\/text>Lid margin<\/text>HEALTHY GLAND<\/text>BLOCKED GLAND<\/text>AFTER HEAT AND EXPRESSION<\/text>Oil flows with every blink<\/text>Plug at the opening; pressure and atrophy behind it<\/text>The plug gives way and the gland empties<\/text><\/svg>
    A healthy gland, a blocked gland and the same gland after heat and expression. Oil in amber; the waxy plug in magenta. Schematic drawn after Knop E. et al.<\/a>, \u201cAnatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology of the Meibomian Gland\u201d, report of the TFOS International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci<\/em> 2011 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \n
    03<\/span><\/span><\/div>

    What a meibomian gland expression involves<\/h2>\n

    1. Before<\/h3>

      First, the ocular surface, the lid margins and the meibomian glands are examined. The eyelids are then warmed in a controlled way<\/strong>. If needed, topical anaesthetic eye drops are used.<\/p><\/li>

    2. During<\/h3>

      The eyelid is treated section by section with controlled pressure. Special instruments stabilise the eyelid from the inside and the outside. Pressure and position are dosed so that the warmed secretion can leave through the natural gland openings. At the same time, the quantity, colour and consistency of the meibum are assessed.<\/p><\/li>

    3. After<\/h3>

      After the expression, the lid margins are cleaned and the ocular surface is checked. The eyelids may temporarily be slightly reddened or tender to pressure. As a rule, no downtime is required.<\/p><\/li>

    4. The course<\/h3>

      How often an expression is appropriate depends on the extent of the meibomian gland dysfunction, the quality of the secretion and the response to treatment. It can follow Tixel, IPL or another suitable heat treatment.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n
      04<\/span><\/span><\/div>

      Who expression is suitable for<\/h2>\n
      \"Infrared
      Meibography<\/span>Infrared meibography of the upper and lower lid. Left, healthy glands: complete, parallel rows. Right, gland loss: shortened and missing glands. Image: Jeong J. et al., J Clin Med<\/em> 2026<\/a>, Fig. 2, CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Possible indications<\/h3>