The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, 50, shared his experience on Instagram on August 28. He said his dry eye disease was largely linked to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked.
Howerton said he tried several conventional treatments over the years but did not find relief. He said the treatments failed to address the blocked glands and, in some cases, made his symptoms worse.
About three months ago, Howerton traveled to Tampa, Florida, to receive treatment from eye specialist Dr. Steven Maskin. He said Maskin used a procedure called meibomian gland probing, which Maskin developed to treat MGD.
Howerton said the condition has not completely gone away, but he has seen “significant improvement for the first time.” He encouraged eye doctors treating dry eye and MGD patients to consider Maskin’s treatment approach.
The condition has been particularly difficult for Howerton because his career has kept him in front of cameras for decades. He has played Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia since the show premiered in 2005.
The series is currently airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FXX, with episodes available to stream on Hulu.
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