Meibomian Gland Probing and Expression (MGPE)
Intraductal meibomian gland probing is a relatively nontraumatic method to relieve the symptoms of MGD, which could mechanically open and dilate the natural orifices and ducts of the meibomian glands to remove abnormal meibum secretions.
Under topical anaesthesia we will unblock the small obstructions and fibrosis that are blocking your meibomian glands (causing their dysfunction). This procedure will be performed in a normal chair in the consultation room with local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. Also, it can be done of the surgical bed under operative microscope to have better access to the upper lid glands.
A specially designed tool unblocks each of the meibomian glands and expresses the build-up of oil. A topical antibiotic/steroid may be prescribed to reduce inflammation after manual expression.
As we use a topical anaesthesia (eyedrops), Meibomian Gland Expression is not painful and almost all patients tolerate the procedure with little discomfort.
Meibomian Gland Expression takes 20 minutes and it is safe for you to drive home after treatment.
Results: Maskin reported that most cases (24 of 25 cases; 96%) had immediate post probing relief of symptoms, and all the patients had relief by 4 weeks after probing. Lasting rapid relief of MGD symptoms, which may be due to the reestablishment of orifice and central ducts by probing, has been found. In addition, orifice penetration and intraductal probing could remove abnormal meibum to relieve the lid congestion and inflammation.