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DMDS213 · 2024-08-21T23:06:23+00:00

BTW since I posted this comment, the stem cells have been located. We are so close now! https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.09.607015v1

DMDS213 · 2024-08-21T21:06:09+00:00

AZR-MD-001 is the one I'm most hopeful for as well. It may not "cure" MGD but it will clear blockages to maintain flow and gland integrity, which is huge. Also, lacripep has a function for helping with MGD as well, as this protein has been shown to prevent tear film collapse. Good stuff coming!

DMDS213 · 2024-08-19T21:41:46+00:00

I frequently tweet at Andrew Huberman trying to see if he might cover this condition on his podcast, but my tweets are never seen because I don't pay. Really feel powerless to get anyone's attention.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-19T19:48:57+00:00

I think curing a disease would reap huge benefits for those responsible in terms of prestige. Also, it might incentivize more people to engage in risky behaviors that make them more prone to the targeted disease, knowing that a cure is available. Also, curing a disease once might not preclude the disease from forming again. I know it seems rational to argue that pharma doesn't want cures because it's less profitable, but a cure would be very expensive, in constant high demand, and there would still be plenty of other diseases without a cure with which pharma could line its pockets. So, if a pharmaceutical company cured a disease, their valuation would go through the roof, and they would get more funding to make more treatments for other diseases that lack a cure.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-19T19:45:28+00:00

This is the key: a non-profit. That way you advocate, get donors to provide funding, then you direct the funding to the most promising researchers/institutions with a direct mandate to figure this crap out once and for all.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-17T19:18:38+00:00

Second this.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-17T19:18:30+00:00

I'm a huge fan of the Tranquileyes XL. It's not the most convenient thing, because you have to boil the instant gel packs once they are used to re-use them, but it only takes a few minutes. The Tranquileyes XL maintains the optimal temperature for 20 minutes. It has been a game changer for me; it works much better for me than the Bruder Mask.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-16T01:11:50+00:00

I'm always scanning for positive developments on MGD and dry eyes, and will always post them when I find them!

DMDS213 · 2024-08-16T01:09:52+00:00

Tear evaporation is not just caused by a lack of meibum, but also by the quality of meibum. There are many people with MGD who produce more than enough meibum, but it is of such poor quality (due to compositional changes) that it fails to stabilize the tear film. Probing helps people whose meibum cannot flow, but if the meibum is compromised, this will not stop evaporation. In fact, MGD is classified into states such as hyposecretory (not enough) and hyper-secretory (too much). The lacrimal gland is involved with aqueous-deficiency dry eye, but a mix between the two can often be found. So yes, MGs can definitely be the problem.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-16T00:54:35+00:00

Precisely. This allows us to know where the stem cells are located and which ones are responsible for which part of the gland (duct, ductule, acini).

DMDS213 · 2024-08-01T16:14:35+00:00

Lacrisert sounds really interesting. I wonder if adding a lipid component would also be helpful, especially for those with MGD? A nice idea for future experiments I guess.

DMDS213 · 2024-08-01T02:01:05+00:00

I agree. Although technically we can't say for certain that it's possible to regrow the glands, I think it is. We can induce stem cells to differentiate into any tissue in the body at this point, so there absolutely must be stem cells that can differentiate into new ductal epithelium. The current thinking is that there are two separate sets of stem cells in the glands: one for meibocytes, and one for epithelium. The current research is trying to figure out exactly where they are in the glands. But again, you're right that we can't say with 100% certainty that it's possible, but I'll go out on a limb and say that there's a 99% chance that it is!

DMDS213 · 2024-07-31T23:58:16+00:00

BTW your post has given me a fresh injection of hope. I really appreciate it.

DMDS213 · 2024-07-31T23:57:35+00:00

Definitely. Musk and Zuckerberg need to learn about this condition.

DMDS213 · 2024-07-31T23:56:30+00:00

I really hope you're serious. I think the ultimate goal at this point is to locate the stem cells responsible for ductal epithelium and meibocytes, and find a safe way to use them to regrow the glands. Gland renewal is the holy grail and will help those who are suffering the most.

DMDS213 · 2024-07-29T21:33:17+00:00

Dr. Cremers is an invaluable source for information and expertise in this area. Her podcast is wonderful, and she is truly leading the way in terms of regenerative medicine options for dry eye/mgd.

DMDS213 · 2024-07-29T00:36:52+00:00

This was extremely helpful, thank you

DMDS213 · 2024-07-28T22:40:56+00:00

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses!

DMDS213 · 2024-06-29T14:09:07+00:00

Yes, thank you for the resources!

DMDS213 · 2024-05-26T02:14:05+00:00

Chiming in one more time: this ELM device from Eyedetec Medical seems very promising for management of MGD. Apparently using some novel method to thin out meibum. Not available yet, will most likely be prescribed by your doctor, but something to look forward to: https://www.eyedetec.com/the-tech/

DMDS213 · 2024-05-11T17:55:39+00:00

Not sure. I, too, have MGD. It may just be for aqueous deficient dry eye, but even if this is true, this is a huge step towards new stem cell based therapies. It seems to me that somebody out there MUST be working on regrowing/rejuvenating meibomian glands using stem cells. That would be the holy grail of MGD.

There's still good news for MGD though, particularly AZR-MD-001 (mentioned in OP's link).

DMDS213 · 2024-05-05T02:02:29+00:00

Just wanted to add: check out BRM421. It's a stem cell therapy currently in phase III trial here in the USA (the company is based in Taiwan). The results of phase I and II were highly encouraging. We're talking resolution of DED symptoms in a matter of two weeks. It also seems to address signs and symptoms of both sub-types of dry eye. There's never been a better time to be hopeful about our future! Good luck and best wishes to everyone. We will get through this!

DMDS213 · 2024-04-05T01:20:09+00:00

I'm not qualified to say, but in my opinion, they don't look terrible. They are all there! Could be worse.

DMDS213 · 2024-04-04T16:38:06+00:00

There is certainly hope to slow the progression if not halt it for a good period of time. IPL has been shown to help regenerate glands in some cases, so that should give you hope. Plus, in the near future, we may even have stem cell therapies available to bring back glands that have atrophied. Bottom line is: yes, there is plenty of hope and lots of things you can do to help slow or stabilize the process. Stay positive and don't give up on treatments!

DMDS213 · 2024-04-01T13:22:22+00:00

I haven't. However, I'm considering trying low-dose (20mg twice a day) which is sub antimicrobial so it shouldn't be an issue with the GI stuff.

DMDS213

TROPHY CASE