Interpretation of the group standard for operation procedure of meibomian gland massage

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can lead to an imbalance in the ocular surface microenvironment,eye discomfortable, and visual impairment, thereby profoundly affecting the visual quality of life of patients.Meibomian gland massage is now widely used in clinical patients, serving as the most prevalent physical therapy for MGD. The mechanism of meibomian gland massage is to open the meibomian gland opening by squeezing the meibomian gland and expel abnormal eyelid esters. However, due to the diverse techniques used in meibomian gland massage and the varying levels of operational experience accumulated by different medical institutions,there are many potential risks in treatment process. If medical staff operate improperly, it can cause eye infections,eyelid redness and swelling, conjunctival edema and bleeding, and even corneal damage. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the standardized procedure of meibomian gland massage therapy. Yet, there is currently lack of comprehensive, systematic, and standardized clinical practice guidance. Thus, the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center,Sun Yat-sen University, in collaboration with 19 medical institutions across the country, has released the group standard for Operation Procedure of Meibomian Gland Massage on the National Group Standard Information Platform on December 17, 2023. This article aims to provide an in-depth interpretation of the group standard to guide clinical work better.