Explore by Disease State

A multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, accompanied by ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles (TFOS DEWS II, 2017).

One of the most prevalent conditions in optometric practice; a leading cause of patient dissatisfaction and reduced quality of life, with significant implications for contact lens wear, surgical candidacy, and systemic disease management.

A chronic, diffuse abnormality of the meibomian glands, commonly characterized by terminal duct obstruction and/or qualitative/quantitative changes in glandular secretion, which may result in alteration of the tear film, symptoms of eye irritation, clinically apparent inflammation, and ocular surface disease (International Workshop on MGD, 2011).

The leading cause of evaporative dry eye disease; present in the majority of dry eye patients and a critical target in comprehensive ocular surface management.

Inflammation of the eyelid margins, classified as anterior (affecting the eyelash follicles and associated glands) or posterior (affecting the meibomian glands), and further categorized by etiology including staphylococcal, seborrheic, and mixed forms.

An extremely common condition that frequently coexists with dry eye disease and MGD; a significant contributor to chronic ocular surface symptoms and a risk factor for recurrent hordeola and chalazia.

Blepharitis caused by infestation of the eyelid follicles and meibomian glands by Demodex mites (primarily D. folliculorum and D. brevis), characterized by cylindrical dandruff at the lash base, lid margin inflammation, and associated ocular surface disease.

Increasingly recognized as a distinct and highly prevalent subtype of blepharitis; the first FDA-approved treatment (Xdemvy®) has elevated its clinical profile and the importance of accurate diagnosis.

A structured community of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix at the lid margin, representing a clinically useful organizing concept for understanding chronic lid margin inflammation and its contribution to ocular surface disease.

A MYODCE signature topic — framed as a clinically useful organizing concept grounded in accepted microbiology and ocular surface disease principles, rather than a formally codified diagnostic entity.

The ocular manifestation of rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized by lid margin telangiectasia, meibomian gland dysfunction, recurrent chalazia, conjunctival injection, and in severe cases, corneal neovascularization and scarring.

Frequently underdiagnosed; the ocular manifestations may precede or occur independently of cutaneous rosacea, making recognition by eye care providers essential.

A degenerative corneal disease caused by impairment of trigeminal corneal innervation, resulting in reduced or absent corneal sensation, epithelial breakdown, impaired healing, and risk of progressive corneal ulceration and perforation.

A sight-threatening condition that requires early recognition; reduced corneal sensation is the hallmark finding, and management requires a stepwise approach including neurotrophic-specific therapies such as cenegermin (Oxervate®) and autologous serum tears.

Corneal damage resulting from inadequate eyelid closure or reduced blink rate, leading to desiccation of the inferior and interpalpebral corneal epithelium.

Commonly encountered in patients with facial nerve palsy, thyroid eye disease, nocturnal lagophthalmos, or following periocular surgery; requires prompt recognition to prevent corneal ulceration.

A condition characterized by loss or dysfunction of limbal epithelial stem cells, resulting in conjunctivalization of the corneal surface, chronic epithelial breakdown, vascularization, and visual impairment.

A severe ocular surface condition with significant visual consequences; causes include chemical burns, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, aniridia, and chronic contact lens wear.

A condition characterized by repeated episodes of spontaneous corneal epithelial breakdown, typically caused by defective adhesion between the epithelial basement membrane and Bowman's layer, often following prior corneal trauma or in association with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

A common cause of acute ocular pain, particularly upon awakening; management ranges from lubrication and bandage contact lenses to anterior stromal puncture and phototherapeutic keratectomy.

A MYODCE organizing concept describing a state of persistent microbial and inflammatory imbalance at the ocular surface, characterized by disruption of the normal lid margin and ocular surface microenvironment, contributing to chronic symptoms and surface disease.

A MYODCE signature topic — presented as a clinically useful framework for understanding the interplay between lid margin microbiota, biofilm, inflammation, and chronic ocular surface disease, grounded in accepted ocular surface biology.

A fibrovascular growth of bulbar conjunctiva that encroaches onto the corneal surface, typically arising from the nasal limbus, associated with chronic UV exposure and ocular surface inflammation.

A common finding in sun-exposed populations; management ranges from lubrication and UV protection for early lesions to surgical excision when vision, comfort, or contact lens wear is compromised.

A yellowish-white, elevated conjunctival deposit of degenerated subepithelial connective tissue located in the interpalpebral zone adjacent to the limbus, associated with UV exposure and aging.

Extremely common; typically benign but may cause irritation, cosmetic concern, or progress to pterygium; inflamed pingueculae (pingueculitis) require targeted anti-inflammatory management.