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Rachel V Thomas

Bryan Johnson Reveals Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: What To Know About This Dry Eye Condition

Longevity expert and multi-billionaire <span>Bryan Johnson</span> has revealed another health condition affecting him. This time, it is <span>meibomian gland dysfunction</span> (MGD).

<span>Johnson</span> also said that the largely asymptomatic condition affects nearly 90 percent of adults over 40. The condition can "lead to permanent eye damage" and also affects younger people because of increased exposure to screens.

“I just learned that I have meaningful meibomian gland dropout. This is why my eyes are irritated,” Johnson said in a post on social media platform X.

“The dropout leads to evaporative <span>dry eye</span> disease, which triggers vision degradation such as blurred text, glare at night, light sensitivity, and neuropathic ocular pain. Left long enough, it can scar the cornea and permanently damage vision,” he added.

<h2>What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?</h2>

Meibomian gland dysfunction happens when the tiny oil glands in the eyelids become blocked or produce poor-quality oil. This prevents enough oil from reaching the tears, causing them to dry up too quickly.

Major triggers include aging, hormonal shifts, screen use, and skin or eye inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Johnson explained that there are about “60 meibomian glands per eye, split across the upper and lower lid. They are like pores, secreting nourishing oil (meibum) onto your tear film to prevent rapid evaporation.”

He noted that the glands can become dysfunctional due to conditions or factors including "age, androgen deficiency, menopause, hormone replacement, oral contraceptives, isotretinoin, antihistamines, SSRIs, tricyclics, beta blockers, diuretics, anticholinergics, preserved eye drops, incomplete blinking, reduced blink rate, screen use, contact lens wear, and ocular rosacea".

When these glands become clogged, the meibocytes can die, and the gland can eventually drop out. Johnson said conventional medicine considers total gland dropout irreversible.

Importantly, Johnson said that MGD can remain asymptomatic during its initial stages. When symptoms appear, the condition can resemble ordinary dry eye, allowing it to worsen and lead to permanent gland dropout.

Advanced MGD can also numb the cornea, further masking subjective symptoms as the disease progresses.

Johnson's MGD was detected after he went to the doctor for a chalazion or stye, a painful, red bump on the edge of the eyelid.

He also mentioned undergoing diagnostic tests, including the Schirmer test and infrared meibography.

Johnson began treatment with in-office intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency (RF), and an experimental intraductal probing, known as the Maskin protocol, to address inflammation and physically reopen clogged glands.

The eye-light device combines IPL with 630-nm red low-level light. The proposed mechanism involves stimulating mitochondrial ATP production in meibocytes and reducing inflammation around the eyes.

The probing therapy involved using 1-mm, 2-mm, and 4-mm probes, which were inserted into each gland orifice.

“My doctor then expressed my glands, using a roller device to expel any buildup and kickstart the gland’s natural expression. This is really painful. Brings you to tears,” Johnson said.

Along with IPL, RF, and probing, he was also using warm eye compresses twice a day, in the morning and at night.

“With this protocol, we’ve seen a 30% improvement in meibomian gland function (using imaging). My glands look healthier, eye irritation has lessened, my subjective symptoms have subsided, and when we probe now, we encounter minimal fibrotic resistance (popping),” he said.

Johnson listed several symptoms and warning signs to watch for, including:

<ul><li>Burning or a gritty sensation in the eyes</li><li>Vision that blurs and then clears when you blink</li><li>Watery eyes, as dryness can trigger reflex tears</li><li>Red, crusty or bumpy eyelid margins</li><li>Recurring styes</li><li>Contact lenses becoming uncomfortable</li><li>Symptoms worsening when using screens, travelling on planes or staying in air-conditioned environments</li></ul>

Any of these symptoms, particularly after age 40, may warrant a gland examination, Johnson said.

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Longevity expert and multi-billionaire Bryan Johnson has revealed another health condition affecting him. This time, it is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).Johnson also said that the largely asymptomatic condition affects nearly 90 percent of adults over 40. The condition can "lead to permanent eye damage" and also affects younger people because of increased exposure to screens.“I just learned that I have meaningful meibomian gland dropout. This is why my eyes are irritated,” Johnson said in a post on social media platform X.“The dropout leads to evaporative dry eye disease, which triggers vision degradation such as blurred text, glare at night, light sensitivity, and neuropathic ocular pain. Left long enough, it can scar the cornea and permanently damage vision,” he added.What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?Meibomian gland dysfunction happens when the tiny oil glands in the eyelids become blocked or produce poor-quality oil. This prevents enough oil from reaching the tears, causing them to dry up too quickly.Major triggers include aging, hormonal shifts, screen use, and skin or eye inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic.Johnson explained that there are about “60 meibomian glands per eye, split across the upper and lower lid. They are like pores, secreting nourishing oil (meibum) onto your tear film to prevent rapid evaporation.”He noted that the glands can become dysfunctional due to conditions or factors including "age, androgen deficiency, menopause, hormone replacement, oral contraceptives, isotretinoin, antihistamines, SSRIs, tricyclics, beta blockers, diuretics, anticholinergics, preserved eye drops, incomplete blinking, reduced blink rate, screen use, contact lens wear, and ocular rosacea".When these glands become clogged, the meibocytes can die, and the gland can eventually drop out. Johnson said conventional medicine considers total gland dropout irreversible.Why Can MGD Go Unnoticed?Importantly, Johnson said that MGD can remain asymptomatic during its initial stages. When symptoms appear, the condition can resemble ordinary dry eye, allowing it to worsen and lead to permanent gland dropout.Advanced MGD can also numb the cornea, further masking subjective symptoms as the disease progresses.How Did Bryan Johnson Detect MGD?Johnson's MGD was detected after he went to the doctor for a chalazion or stye, a painful, red bump on the edge of the eyelid.He also mentioned undergoing diagnostic tests, including the Schirmer test and infrared meibography.How Is Johnson Treating MGD?Johnson began treatment with in-office intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency (RF), and an experimental intraductal probing, known as the Maskin protocol, to address inflammation and physically reopen clogged glands.The eye-light device combines IPL with 630-nm red low-level light. The proposed mechanism involves stimulating mitochondrial ATP production in meibocytes and reducing inflammation around the eyes.The probing therapy involved using 1-mm, 2-mm, and 4-mm probes, which were inserted into each gland orifice.“My doctor then expressed my glands, using a roller device to expel any buildup and kickstart the gland’s natural expression. This is really painful. Brings you to tears,” Johnson said.Along with IPL, RF, and probing, he was also using warm eye compresses twice a day, in the morning and at night.“With this protocol, we’ve seen a 30% improvement in meibomian gland function (using imaging). My glands look healthier, eye irritation has lessened, my subjective symptoms have subsided, and when we probe now, we encounter minimal fibrotic resistance (popping),” he said.Signs of MGD to Watch ForJohnson listed several symptoms and warning signs to watch for, including:Burning or a gritty sensation in the eyesVision that blurs and then clears when you blinkWatery eyes, as dryness can trigger reflex tearsRed, crusty or bumpy eyelid marginsRecurring styesContact lenses becoming uncomfortableSymptoms worsening when using screens, travelling on planes or staying in air-conditioned environmentsAny of these symptoms, particularly after age 40, may warrant a gland examination, Johnson said.

bryan johnson reveals meibomian gland dysfunction: what to know about this dry eye condition

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