To evaluate the effectiveness of intraductal meibomian gland probing in addition to conventional treatment for the management of obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (O-MGD).

Totally, 40 patients were divided into two groups to receive either conventional treatment alone (group 1: 40 eyes of 20 patients) or conventional treatment plus probing (group 2: 40 eyes of 20 patients). The ocular surface disease index score, Schirmer 1 test, tear film break-up time, Oxford grading of ocular surface, meibum expressibility, and quality scores were evaluated baseline and compared with the end of treatment (day 30 and day 90).

There was no significant difference in baseline scores between groups (All p > 0.05). All scores demonstrated significantly improvement from baseline in both group, and it was faster in group 2 (All p < 0.05).

This study showed that intraductal meibomian gland probing seems to provide rapid symptom relief and clinical improvement for patients with O-MGD.