Ocular surface health and functioning eyelids go hand-in-hand. However, the ways the eyelids can fail to protect the eye are often overlooked. As a result, it can be a challenge to understand why treatments that would otherwise work provide no relief to patients. There are a variety of lid conditions that can affect a patient’s eye health, such as dry eye disease (DED), ptosis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)/blepharitis and lid lesions, to name a few. To provide effective care, clinicians must understand the pathophysiology of these diseases and their potential impact. 

By Victoria Roan, OD
Review of Optometry CE, February 2021