Abstract: Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD) is the main cause of dry eye and is also a common disease in ophthalmology clinic. The main mechanism of MGD is terminal duct obstruction and/or qualitative/quantitative changes in the glandular secretion. The response of meibomian gland to inflammatory stimuli, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory meibum, androgens and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) involved in the regulation of inflammation may mediate the meibomian gland's resistance to inflammatory cell infiltration. Dysbacteriosis of meibomian gland and infection of demodex can induce inflammation and thus affect the pathogenesis and development of MGD. To clarify the role and mechanism of inflammation in MGD will provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of MGD. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2021, 45: 535-540)

Key words: meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation, dysbacteriosis, demodex