In the increasingly common condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction, the oil-producing glands in the eyelids fail to secrete enough oil to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly, and this results in dry eye symptoms. Heat treatment, using warm compresses, is intended to loosen up hardened oil that is clogging the glands and keep it flowing better. Even better, you can follow up a warm compress with lid scrubs/lid massage to express the now softened oil from icky clogged glands.
How can you do a warm compress?
- Warm washcloth: This seems to work well for some people, but for others it does not retain heat long enough to be effective. Some people find frequent use of a wet washcloth around their eyes to be irritating to the skin.
- Rice baggy: This is a favorite among dry eye treatment 'connoisseurs' and veterans of meibomian gland dysfunction. Rice baggies come in many shapes and forms - see Cindy's Rice Baggy Recipe (below) for instructions on an easy, practical home-made solution;or if you really want something ready-made you can purchase a Rice Baggy from The Dry Eye Shop. It's simply uncooked rice in a bag, heated in the microwave, carefully tested for temperature, and finally placed over the eyes for 5 to 20 minutes. We find that rice baggies work better than washclothes because the rice retains heat well and the weight helps it distribute the heat evenly and effectively. Rice baggies can be re-used many times but for safety's sake should be replaced periodically.
- Eye Spa Pad: This is the product featured in Dr. Latkany's book "The Dry Eye Remedy". It's a hydrogel pack inside a durable soft cotton pad, and with a velcro strap to keep it on. The pad can be removed for washing.This is also available in the Dry Eye Shop.
- EyeFeel: This is a self-heating disposable warm compress product made by a Japanese company. Unfortunately its availability has had some ups and downs - check with Dr. Scheffer Tseng's office in Miami about current status.
There are also other methods... Some use a heat pad (be very very careful though!!!!), some a microwaved potato.
CAUTION!!! Exercise great care when applying any heat to the lids, to prevent irritation or burning. Please consult your doctor for specific advice and instructions. |
1. Buy a box of knee-hi stockings. I buy L'eggs Everday knee highs, 10 pair to a box for $5.99.
2. Buy a bag of long grain rice.
3. Put about 1/2 cup of uncooked rice in a single knee high and tie it off with a knot to keep the rice from falling out. Experiment a little with the amount of rice and tying the stocking off at different lengths until you find what works best and is the most comfortable (not too heavy) for you.
4. Put in the microwave on high for 20 seconds to start. Keep nuking until it's warm enough.
Easy, cheap and you get 20 rice baggies. Use one for as long as you want and then toss it out.
TIP: They work great cold from the freezer also if you're into cold compresses.
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