If your eyes feel tight and you feel a foreign object every time you blink, it could be more than just fatigue - it could be a problem with the inside of your eyelids. In particular, a blockage of the meibomian glands (oil glands) can cause the oil layer in your tears to not secrete properly, leading to faster tear evaporation and a build-up of sebum on your eyelids, which can lead to blepharitis or dry eye. This is where oil gland cleaning comes in. By following a simple but effective routine, you can remove oil from your eyelids and restore oil gland function to keep your eyes healthy.
Today, the How to Clean Your Eye's Oil Glands to Relieve Dry Eye Symptomsin this article.
1. Causes of eyelid oiliness
Source: Regional Eye Centre
The main causes of eyelid oiliness are Blockage of the oil glands, namely the Meibomian Gland. The oil glands are small sebaceous glands lining the inside of the eyelid margin that secrete the oil (lipid) layer of tears, which plays an important role in preventing tears from evaporating.
However, if the oil glands become blocked or malfunction for a variety of reasons, the oil cannot drain properly and pools in the eyelids. This can result in small lumps or grainy lumps of sebum on the edges of the eyelids, which can be palpable and appear as a yellowish, oily puddle. This condition is called Often leads to blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) or polyps, which requires careful attention.
Common causes of clogged oil glands include.
- Lack of eyelid hygiene
- Build-up of make-up residue such as eyeliner, mascara, etc.
- Rubbing your eyes frequently
- Long-term wear of contact lenses
- Increased sebum secretion
- Skin conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or acne
Particularly if you wear make-up frequently or don't wash and cleanse enough, the oil glands can become clogged with a build-up of dirt and cosmetic products, which is why maintaining a good eyelid hygiene routine is crucial to maintaining eye health.
2. Why you need to clean your eye oil glands
Source: andrewstoneoptometry
The oil glands in the eyelids form the outermost layer of tears, the lipid (oil) layer, which prevents excessive evaporation of tears. When these glands become blocked, the tear film becomes unbalanced, which can lead to a variety of eye conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the oil glands is essential for maintaining eye health. Here are five specific reasons why you should clean your oil glands.
1) Prevent evaporative dry eye disease
If the oil glands are not secreting oil properly, The lipid layer that protects the tear's moisture layer becomes weaker or disappears. This causes the moisture in your tears to evaporate rapidly and the surface of your eyes to dry out easily, often resulting in a burning, stiff, gritty, foreign body sensation, especially if you use your smartphone or computer for long periods of time, Develops into ‘evaporative dry eye', where you feel dry even when you have enough tears.
2) Reduce reliance on artificial tears
As dry eye becomes more severe, you may find yourself relying on artificial tears more often, but this is often only temporary relief. As your oil glands regain their function, the tear film becomes balanced and you need to use artificial tears less often and your eyes become more resilient. In other words, Improve fundamental eye healthIt's sunset.
3) Prevent eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
The oil glands are blocked, and in them If oil and waste pools for a long time, an environment is created that is conducive to bacterial growth. This leads to the formation of Blepharitis, which causes inflamed, swollen, itchy, and often sticky eye socketswhich can lead to the following In severe cases, the eyelid pain, redness, eyelash falling out, styescan progress, so it's important to keep the oil glands clean.
4) Prevent meibomian gland dysfunction
If the oil glands remain blocked for a long period of time, the meibomian glands lose their function and gradually disappear. Once compromised, it's hard to get it back, so proactive management is necessaryEspecially after 40, the oil glands naturally decline in function, so you need to be more consistent.
5) Reduces discomfort when wearing lenses
Contact lens wearers often experience discomfort such as foreign body sensation, redness, fatigue and dryness when the tear film is not stable. When the oil glands are healthy, lenses fit better and reduce the eye fatigue that occurs with prolonged wear.
Artificial Tears for Dry Eyes 3 Ways to Use Artificial Tears Without Watery Eyes - Check It Out
3. 3 steps to take care of my bombshells
The oil glands are responsible for the lipid layer of tears, and they need to be maintained to prevent them from becoming clogged. Here are three steps you can take at home to clean your oil glands.
1) Melt the oil with a warm compress
Source: Village Optical
The oil secreted by the meibomian glands can harden or increase in viscosity over time, so it's important to first gently melt it with warm heat. Get a heated eye patch or warm washcloth and place it on your eye for about 2-3 minutes. The wipes should be warm, around 40 to 45 degrees, and be careful not to use them too hot as you risk burning yourself. This step in the eye oil gland care regime is the foundation for gently unclogging the oil glands and making them easier to drain, which will increase the effectiveness of your overall eye care regime.
2) Lightly massage your eyelids
Source: Freepik
Once the warm compress has softened the oil, you may want to gently massage your eyelids to help the oil drain naturally. After washing your hands thoroughly, Top to bottom for the upper eyelid, bottom to top for the lower eyelidwith slow, steady pressure - too much pressure can be irritating, so it's important to proceed gently and without pain.
3) Clean the outlet with MyBombshell Cleaner
Source: calgaryfamilyeyedoctors
When the oil is sufficiently dissolved and drained, the front of your eyes may appear cloudy or blurry, which is when you need to take steps to clean up any residual debris on the edges of your eyelids. Apply a special eyelid cleaner or oil gland cleaner to a cotton ball or sterile gauze and gently wipe along the lash line. This process is effective in keeping the outlet of the oil glands clear, preventing bacterial growth and preventing eyelid inflammation.
4. manage your dry eye at St Mary's Eye Centre!
Dry eye is caused by a lack of tears or an imbalance in the tear layer. Chronic eye diseasewhich causes a variety of discomforts, including dryness, stinging, and a foreign body sensation inside the eyelids, especially if you use your smartphone or computer for long periods of time, It can easily be mistaken for simple fatigue, so early diagnosis and systematic management is crucial.In particular, dry eye disease is not a short-term condition that can be cured in the Conditions where consistent management is keybecause it is, Expert medical staff with accurate diagnosis and extensive treatment experienceis very important.
JIN EYE CENTER는 Outpatient faculty of the Retina Department at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital is among the best in the countryWe are responsible for the eye health of these patients. We utilise state-of-the-art medical equipment for accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment, One-to-one surgery tailored to each patient's eye characteristicsfor the eye. We offer high-quality care that is rarely found in university hospitals, and we specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of cataract, glaucoma and retinal diseases, as well as a range of other issues related to tissue changes around the eye.
Take care of your eye health at St Mary's Eye Centre
Dry eye syndrome is not just eye strain. A condition caused by an imbalance in the tear film and oil glands.If you're experiencing recurring symptoms such as a foreign body in your eyelids, stinging, or glare, it's important to get it checked out. Dry eye syndrome, which is often associated with a decrease in oil production and oil gland function, is a condition called Identifying the root cause and then systematically managing it is the surest way to get it under control.of the eye. St Mary's Eye Centre provides accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment for Let's keep your eyes healthy together.
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