Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) may well be the lead-ing cause of dry eye disease throughout the world. Although this condition affects the health and well-being of millions of people, there is no global consensus on the definition, classification, diagnosis, or therapy for MGD. To achieve such a consensus, the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS; http://www. tearfilm. org), a nonprofit organization, launched the International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (www. tearfilm. org/mgdworkshop/index. html). The objectives of the workshop were to:

● conduct an evidence-based evaluation of meibomian gland structure and function in health and disease;● develop a contemporary understanding of the definition and classification of MGD;● assess methods of diagnosis, evaluation, and grading of the severity of MGD;● develop recommendations for the management and therapy of MGD;● develop appropriate norms of clinical trial design to evaluate pharmaceutical interventions for the treatment of MGD; and

● create a summary of recommendations for future research in MGD.

The report of the Workshop on MGD, which required more than 2 years to complete, was finalized in 2010. This effort involved more than 50 leading clinical and basic research experts from around the world. These participants, who were assigned to subcommittees, reviewed published data and examined the levels of supporting evidence. Subcommittee reports were circulated among all workshop participants, presented in open forum, and discussed in an interactive manner.