In this 66-year-old patient, the lower eyelid shows relatively preserved Meibomian gland architecture.
The upper eyelid reveals marked gland dropout. Recent research suggests that preoperative upper eyelid gland loss may be a more relevant predictor of postoperative dry eye after cataract surgery than lower lid findings alone. Incorporating both eyelids into routine assessment can:
• identify patients at higher risk
• improve counselling and expectation management
• support earlier, targeted intervention
• document pre-existing gland compromise And perhaps most importantly —
it changes the conversation with the patient. Because in many cases, what appears to be new dry eye after surgery…
was already there — just not fully assessed. With MEA (handheld or slit-lamp attachment, by ocu.care), imaging both upper and lower eyelids is now simple, fast, and effortless. Tell the full story to your patient with MEA.