Do your eyes feel gritty by mid-afternoon, or do you wake up with crust along your lashes?
Your meibomian glands may need some attention.
These tiny glands along your eyelid edges play a big role in how comfortable your eyes feel, yet most of us never think about them until something feels off.
In this post, we’ll go over 5 ways to express your meibomian glands, starting with what a meibomian gland expression is.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Meibomian Gland Expression?
Your upper and lower eyelids hold dozens of meibomian glands.
They release meibum, a light oil that forms the top layer of your tear film and helps keep tears from evaporating too quickly.
When that oil thickens, or when debris builds up along the lash line, the glands may not release it as easily.
Meibomian gland expression means applying gentle, controlled pressure to the eyelids to help move that oil out of the glands.
Eye care professionals can do it in the office with specialized tools.
Many people also do a gentle version at home, usually after warming and cleansing the lids.
5 Tips for Meibomian Gland Expression
1. Start With Clean Lids
Oil, makeup, and buildup collect along the lash line all day.
Cleansing first gives you a clean surface to work on, so you aren’t pressing debris back toward the glands.
It also helps your lids feel lighter and more refreshed before you start.
I love this okra-based eyelid cleansing foam because it clears away the tough, oily residue along the lid margin that can clog glands, so you start every expression session with a truly clean slate.
It also works as a gentle exfoliant that quickly removes eye makeup and weeks of oily buildup, without being harsh on sensitive skin.
Plus, it was developed by ophthalmologists with a pH-balanced okra complex with natural botanicals that leaves lids feeling refreshed and moisturized instead of stripped.
Simply follow the directions on the back, and you’re good to go!
2. Keep the Lash Line Clean Between Sessions
Your lids start collecting buildup again as soon as you’re done.
A quick wipe after each session clears away anything released along the lid edge.
A midday refresh helps too, especially if you wear makeup or spend long hours on screens.
Small, regular cleanups keep buildup from piling up, so every session starts from a fresh baseline.
I love these eyelid wipes because they make it easy to clear away dirt, debris, and anything released along the lid margin right after a session, with no rinsing required.
They also double as gentle eye makeup remover pads, which is a big win if makeup is part of your daily routine.
Plus, each wipe is pre-moistened with an okra-based formula and natural botanicals that cleanse and moisturize, so my lids feel clean and refreshed instead of dry.
Simply follow the directions on the back, and you’re good to go!
3. Warm Your Lids First
Meibum flows more easily when it’s warm, so heat is what makes gentle expression work.
Hold a warm compress or heated eye mask over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
Keep it comfortably warm, never hot, and test it on your wrist first.
A damp washcloth cools quickly, so a mask that holds heat is easier, and you should move straight into expression while your lids are still warm.
4. Use a Gentle Technique
At-home expression should feel like light pressure, never pain.
Wash your hands and remove your contacts first.
- Upper lid: Look down and roll a fingertip from the brow bone down toward the lashes.
- Lower lid: Look up and roll a fingertip up toward the lashes.
Work from the inner corner to the outer corner, holding light pressure for a few seconds at each spot.
Never press on the eyeball itself, and skip tools unless your eye doctor shows you how to use one.
5. Blink Fully Throughout the Day
Every full blink presses a little oil from the glands, but we blink less, and less completely, while staring at screens.
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds and add a few slow, full blinks.
A humidifier in dry rooms and keeping fans pointed away from your face can help your eyes stay comfortable between sessions.
Keep Your Glands in Good Hands
Meibomian gland expression doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start with clean lids, warm them for 5 to 10 minutes, use gentle pressure toward the lash line, and wipe away what’s released when you’re done.
Between sessions, keep your lash line clean, blink fully, and give your eyes regular breaks from screens.
Like most self-care habits, consistency matters more than intensity, so a few minutes every day will do more than an occasional long session.
If discomfort lingers or gets worse, check in with your eye doctor, who can examine your glands and talk with you about in-office options.
Thank you for reading!
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Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This blog or the writer is not a licensed healthcare professional, and the content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or making any changes to your healthcare routine.
