What Is Meibomian Gland Thermal Therapy?
Meibomian gland thermal therapy and expression is a treatment that clears clogged glands along the eyelid margin, the ones responsible for producing the tear film’s oil layer. It’s one of the cornerstones of treating evaporative dry eye, the most common form of dry eye.
It works in two steps: first, controlled heat softens the thick, trapped contents inside the glands. Then, expression empties and unclogs them. Once freed, the glands go back to producing the oil that keeps tears from evaporating too fast.
The Problem It Solves
Over time, screen use, blepharitis, rosacea, and other factors cause the Meibomian gland contents to thicken and clog, much like a pipe backing up. The result: tears lose their protective oil layer, evaporate quickly, and the eye becomes irritated, burns, and tires easily.
Thermal therapy reverses that process at the root, instead of just masking the symptom with drops.
Who Is a Candidate?
- Confirmed Meibomian gland dysfunction, verified by meibography
- Evaporative dry eye
- Blepharitis affecting the glands
- As the foundation of a combined treatment plan
What the Treatment Involves
- Controlled heat application to the eyelids to soften the gland contents.
- Gland expression to empty and unclog them.
- At-home maintenance guidance (eyelid hygiene, warm compresses).
It’s painless, requires no anesthesia, and takes 20-30 minutes. It follows a stepped protocol of one to three or more sessions depending on severity.
Why Choose Centro Láser for Thermal Therapy
At Centro Láser, thermal therapy is performed within the Dry Eye Spa, guided by imaging-based diagnosis of the Meibomian glands (meibography) that confirms the degree of blockage and tracks your response. We combine it with intense pulsed light and eyelid hygiene in a personalized plan to get your glands working again.
