Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a blockage or dysfunction of the meibomian glands in the upper or lower eyelids. The meibomian glands secrete oils onto the eye’s surface. These oils help to prevent tears from evaporating.
MGD is one cause of dry eye syndrome, as the blockage of these glands, stops the oil that protects the tears.
While warm compresses are typically recommended to treat dry eye, it is often not enough to relieve the MGD. Alcon has developed the iLUX MGD Treatment System, an in-office treatment, now available at Eyecare Associates in Fort Collins, CO
The optometrist uses a handheld LED heat source to warm the inner and outer eye used to melt away anything clogging the meibomian glands. The iLux is a relatively quick treatment that typically lasts less than 10 minutes.
Alcon was selected as a Gold Winner by the 2019 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) for its innovation with the iLux.