Asymptomatic Meibomian Gland Characteristics

Silent gland failure: what do asymptomatic adults reveal about subclinical MGD?

January 14, 2026
3 min

The Ophthalmologist

Share

1

A study from Mahidol University found high rates of meibomian gland abnormalities in asymptomatic adults with a DEQS score ≤14.
2

71% of upper eyelids and 51% of lower eyelids in participants showed meiboscore ≥1, indicating measurable gland dropout.
3

Despite gland changes, overall tear function was preserved, with median fluorescein tear breakup time at 5.04 seconds.
4

Significant age-related differences were observed in the Schirmer I test, indicating early functional decline.
5

The study suggests proactive screening for MGD in asymptomatic individuals to prevent future evaporative dry eye.

Original Source(s)

The Ophthalmologist

Asymptomatic Meibomian Gland Characteristics

January 14, 2026

Related Content

The Ophthalmologist

Optimizing the Ocular Surface Before and After Cataract Surgery

The role of perfluorohexyloctane in dry eye management

by Justin Schweitzer
April 8, 2026
5 min

Conexiant

Music May Ease Anxiety in Eye Clinics

Background music and multimedia exposure were associated with lower patient-reported anxiety in a quasi-experimental ophthalmology clinic study that used existing clinic audiovisual infrastructure at no additional cost.