Meibomian Gland Expression

The meibomian glands are tiny oil-secreting glands in your eyelids that produce the lipid layer of your tear film — the outermost layer that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked with thickened, waxy secretions, the result is evaporative dry eye: one of the most common forms of dry eye disease.

Meibomian gland expression is the process of manually clearing these blockages to restore normal gland function. At ProVision, we perform both manual expression and thermal-assisted expression — where heat is first applied to soften the meibum before expression, making the process more effective and comfortable.

Gland expression is often performed as part of a comprehensive dry eye treatment session, following IPL or RF therapy when the glands have been warmed and the secretions softened. Regular expression, combined with at-home lid hygiene, is key to maintaining healthy meibomian gland function over time.