The preoperative management of meibomian gland dysfunction prior to corneal refractive surgery

To describe the significance of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in corneal refractive surgery and to describe available approaches to preoperative evaluation and treatment based on current research.

There are several methods available for the evaluation and treatment of MGD. These are relevant for refractive surgeons to understand, as the presence of MGD preoperatively plays a role in the severity of MGD after corneal refractive surgery. Refractive surgery itself can exacerbate MGD. Treatment of MGD prior to surgery may have a meaningful impact on postoperative MGD.

Surgeons should include meibomian gland assessment in the preoperative refractive evaluation and should treat MGD proactively prior to performing refractive surgery. Relevant information in this field is growing; additional prospectively designed studies are needed to further enhance our understanding.