Inflammation of the Eyelids

Sharon Kleyne’s interview with Marguerite McDonald, MD, on Eyelid Inflammation and Dry Eye

Guest: Marguerite McDonald, MD (New York, NY), Ophthalmologist and LASIK pioneer.

This is a paraphrased summary of an interview on the Sharon Kleyne Hour – Power of Water Internet radio talk show on World Talk Radio, Apple iTunes and Green Talk Network. Sharon Kleyne is an internationally recognized entrepreneur, water and health advocate, and Founder of Bio-Logic Aqua Research and Save a Child’s Life Foundation. To hear the complete show, go to http://www.SharonKleyneHour.com

LASIK pioneer and ophthalmologist Marguerite McDonald, MD, appeared as Sharon Kleyne’s guest on the Sharon Kleyne Hour – Power of Water radio show. She presented information about dry eye disease, especially as it relates to inflammation of the eyelid and blepharitis, which are frequently overlooked in dry eye research.

According to Dr. Marguerite McDonald, 20 to 30 million people in the United States show symptoms of early stage dry eye disease. Six million US women and three million men suffer from chronic dry eye. The incidence of dry eye increases with age. Dry eye is also a side effect of numerous medications. Modern, climate controlled, energy efficient buildings can also contribute to dry eye.

Computers also contribute to dry eye. When working at a computer, the eyes’ natural blink rate may drop from 20 to 40 times a minute to three times a minute. Other factors that can dehydrate the eyes’ tear film include arthritis, gout, eye surgery, poor nutrition, not drinking enough water, low thyroid, not enough sleep, contact lenses and topical eye medications. Eyelid blink disturbance cause by strokes and other diseases can also result in dry eye.

A disease called “blepharitis” which is inflammation of the eyelids, can also contribute to dry eye symptoms. The eyelids are home to the meibomian glands, which secrete oil (lipid) onto the tear film. This oil, among other things, prevents the water in the tear film from evaporating. Should eyelid inflammation affect the proper functioning of the meibomian glands, as it often does, the tear film water evaporation rate can increase dramatically, resulting in dry eye disease.