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Meibomianitis is an inflammation of the meibomian glands in the eyelids caused by thickening of oil, leading to bacterial growth. Meibomian oils are important for eye health as they prevent dryness and irritation. Symptoms include swollen eyelids and blurred vision, and treatment involves keeping the area clean and dry or using a topical antibiotic cream. In rare cases, meibomianitis can cause corneal ulcers or other eye damage.
The meibomian glands, located in the upper and lower eyelids, secrete oils that help lubricate the eyes. When these glands become inflamed or infected, the condition is known as meibomianitis. Most cases are caused by thickening of the oil, which helps bacteria grow in and near the glands.
The oils secreted by the meibomian glands slowly absorb into the tear film, a thin layer of moisture that covers the eyes. The tear film is largely water, which would evaporate quickly if oils weren’t present to help prevent this. Without the tear film, the eyes would quickly become dry, scratchy and irritated which means meibomian oils are important for eye health.
Meibomian inflammation occurs when the oils secreted by the meibomian glands become thicker than normal. When this happens, the glands secrete oil that doesn’t spread over the tear film as usual. Instead, the oil accumulates on the edges of the eyelids. The buildup of oil provides extra nourishment which allows for an overgrowth of skin bacteria. The resulting inflammation is called meibomianitis.
Symptoms of the condition include swelling of the eyelids and blurred vision which can be cleared up by blinking. People with this eyelid inflammation are also more likely to develop styes, which occur when bacteria enters one of the meibomian glands. The affected part of the eyelid becomes tender and inflamed, and a swollen red bump develops. Most styes will resolve without treatment.
Inflammation of the meibomian glands often occurs in conjunction with a condition called blepharitis. The latter condition is also due to inflammation, but in this case the inflammation occurs at the margins of the eyelid rather than near or in the meibomian glands. Blepharitis causes a flaky, dandruff-like substance to build up on the eyelids and can cause dry and itchy eyes.
Treatment of meibomianitis is usually simple and doesn’t always require medication. Most cases clear up after a few days with no treatment other than keeping the area clean and dry. If this does not occur, a doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream which will resolve most cases. If the inflammation is caused by another condition such as acne, you may also need treatment for the underlying condition.
Most cases of meibomianitis do not cause any lasting damage to the eyelid or the eye area in general. In very few cases, especially when blepharitis is also involved, corneal ulcers or another condition can develop. This is extremely rare, but can cause considerable eye damage. For this reason any eye inflammation should be taken seriously and medical treatment should be obtained if the inflammation does not resolve after a few days.
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