If your eyes constantly feel dry, gritty, or irritated, you’re not alone—and your meibomian glands might be the reason why. Many patients dealing with dry eye symptoms actually have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), one of the most common and often overlooked causes of chronic eye discomfort.
At Child and Family Vision Center, we help patients in Ankeny find real relief from dry eyes using advanced treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, which targets the root cause of the problem—not just the symptoms.
What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?
You have tiny oil glands lining your upper and lower eyelids called meibomian glands. These glands produce the oily layer of your tear film, which helps prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly.
With MGD, these glands become clogged or inflamed, which means less oil reaches your eyes—and that leads to dry, burning, or watery eyes.
Common Symptoms of MGD
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Dryness, especially later in the day
- Blurry vision that improves with blinking
- Watery eyes (a reflex to dryness)
- Crusty eyelids or frequent styes
Many people think they just have “dry eye” and use over-the-counter drops for relief—but if MGD is the cause, those drops may only provide temporary comfort.
What Causes Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
MGD can develop due to:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Screen time and infrequent blinking
- Chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
- Certain medications or skin conditions like rosacea
Over time, the glands can atrophy or stop working, so early treatment is key.
How Is MGD Diagnosed?
At Child and Family Vision Center, we use high-resolution imaging and gland analysis to assess the health of your meibomian glands. This allows us to not only confirm MGD but also tailor your treatment to its severity.
Advanced Treatment: How IPL Therapy Helps
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a cutting-edge treatment originally used in dermatology that’s now making a big impact in eye care.
How it works:
IPL delivers gentle pulses of light to the skin around your eyes.
This:
- Reduces inflammation
- Unclogs meibomian glands
- Improves oil flow to your eyes
- Targets bacteria and skin conditions that worsen dry eye
Most patients see improvement after a series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart, with little to no downtime.
Other MGD Treatment Options
Depending on your specific case, we may also recommend additional treatments alongside IPL to support your eye comfort and gland function. These can include warm compress therapy or LipiFlow® to help unblock the glands, daily lid hygiene routines using gentle cleansers to reduce buildup, omega-3 supplements to improve the quality of your tear film, and prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation and support healing. Each of these options can be tailored to your symptoms and the severity of your meibomian gland dysfunction.
Is IPL Right for You?
IPL therapy may be a great option if you’re dealing with moderate to severe dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction that hasn’t responded to basic treatments, or dry eye related to rosacea. It’s also a strong choice for those looking for a long-term, drug-free solution. During your dry eye evaluation we’ll assess your symptoms and eye health to determine whether IPL is the right fit for you.
Find Lasting Relief at Child and Family Vision Center in Ankeny
If you’re tired of relying on drops that only help for a few minutes, it’s time to try something different. Treating the root cause of your dry eye—not just the symptoms—can lead to lasting comfort and clearer vision.
Schedule an eye exam at our practice and ask us about IPL therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction. Let’s get your eyes feeling better—starting now.