MGD is focus of consensus

Rockville, MD-More than 50 clinical and basic research experts from around the world have produced a global consensus report on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

The 2-year-long International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction was conducted by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society. The participants used an evidence-based approach to develop a worldwide definition: MGD is a chronic, diffuse abnormality of the meibomian glands, commonly characterized by terminal duct obstruction and/or qualitative/quantitative changes in the glandular secretion. This may result in alteration of the tear film, symptoms of eye irritation, clinically apparent inflammation, and ocular surface disease.

The participants also developed a universal MGD classification system based on pathophysiology; proposed recommendations for diagnosing MGD and MGD-related disorders; determined a sequence of diagnostic tests to be performed in a specific order; and issued recommendations for the evaluation and grading of the severity of MGD, management of and therapy for the disease, and norms for clinical trials designed to evaluate pharmaceutical interventions for treatment.

Full results of the workshop were published in a special issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, the online journal of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.