The compress is heated in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and applied to the eyes, where it stays warm for up to three minutes. Thermalon Dry Eye Compresses are readily available in the United States at most major drug stores and Wal-Mart.
THERMALON DRY EYE MOIST HEAT COMPRESS FREE
If you make your own, in addition to using lint free material, be sure that the inner bag is not porous. It should be lint–free, and easy to disinfect, wash, and dry. The inner layer contains the rice. We recommend rice baggies with at least two cloth layers. Cooked rice becomes flaky with debris that can make its way to your face and eyes. Rice baggies are used dry, and can be kept clean, although the rice does tend to cook in the microwave. The baggy is placed in the microwave until it is warm, not hot. Rice baggies are available online, or you can make your own using a lint free sock and some uncooked rice. Never apply the part that touched one eye to the other eye to avoid spreading microorganisms from one eye to the other. To reduce the risk of infection, use a clean wash cloth every time you apply warm compresses. In a pinch, however, or if only a very small area of the eye lid requires heating (if there is a single blocked meibomian gland, for example), the rolled up corner of a damp wash cloth heated in the microwave, or placed under hot running water, is easy and effective.
It can be difficult to control the temperature and amount of water in the wash cloth, and wash cloths cool quickly, requiring constant messy rewetting. The wash cloth is placed over the eyes for a prescribed amount of time, one or several times a day.Īlthough it is a simple and inexpensive method, the water in the wash cloth contains microorganisms, including bacteria, that can cause infection. The most common recommendation is using a damp wash cloth that is run under hot water or heated in the microwave for a short time, so that it is warm, not hot. There are many ways to perform effective warm compresses that require very little special equipment. In time, you may even look forward to these few moments of solitude as you take care of each precious, tiny meibomian glands. Turn on some music, say a prayer, or simply take a deep breath, close your eyes, and steady your mind while you are applying the compress. Warm compresses are not invasive or painful. Do not fret that this needs to be done daily. If you suffer from chronic blepharitis, evaporative dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), or other disease associated with meibomian glands, it is likely that you will need to perform warm compresses on a regular basis. Compresses that are too hot can cause scalding or burning. Overuse of compresses, too hot or too long, can cause irritation. Recent evidence suggests that warm compresses applied to eye lids with obstructed meibomian glands can exacerbate the condition.Ĭompresses should be applied as directed by your physician - not too long and not too hot. Warm compresses should only be performed if the meibomian glands are not obstructed by fibrous tissue, or other material, that can block the flow of liquefied meibum. Warm compresses also stimulates the production of meibum.Ĭompresses are applied to treat chalazion, an enlarged lump in the eye lid, caused by one or more engorged meibomian glands. Warm compresses loosen the scales and debris that can be found around the eye lashes, and also help to liquefy meibum, so it can flow out of the meibomian glands and onto the surface of the eye. Important new book about Dry Eye and Meibomian gland dysfunction.
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