Meibomian gland probing with blood product injection
A method of improving meibomian gland function in a patient includes inserting a cannula into an interior of a meibomian gland of the patient through an orifice thereinto, the cannula including at least one opening in communication with the interior of the meibomian gland, and injecting a blood product into the interior of the meibomian gland through the inserted cannula via the at least one opening.
1. A method of improving meibomian gland function in a patient, the method comprising:
inserting a cannula into an interior of a meibomian gland of the patient through an orifice thereinto, the cannula including at least one opening in communication with the interior of the meibomian gland; and
injecting a blood product into the interior of the meibomian gland through the inserted cannula via the at least one opening.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting at least one probe into the interior of the meibomian gland through the orifice prior to insertion of the cannula.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein inserting the at least one probe prior to insertion of the cannula includes inserting at least two probes of differing lengths prior to insertion of the cannula.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein inserting the at least two probes of differing lengths includes:
first, inserting a 1-millimeter (mm) long probe;
second, inserting a 2-mm long probe; and
third, inserting a 4-mm long probe to a full length of the meibomian gland.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the blood product includes injecting autologous serum (AS).
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the AS is obtained using venipuncture.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the AS is obtained using a finger prick.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the AS is 50% AS.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the blood product includes injecting at least one of the following blood-derived sera:
allogenic serum;
umbilical cord serum; and
recombinant serum.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the blood product includes injecting at least one of the following platelet preparations:
platelet rich plasma;
platelet lysate;
platelet releasate; and
platelet concentrate.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the blood product includes injecting fresh frozen plasma.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the blood product includes injecting at least one of albumin and fibronectin.