Warm compresses for dry eye?

November 20, 2023 6:49 PM

After some intermittent episodes of blurry vision, my opthalmologist said I had dry eye (specifically, meibomian gland dysfunction). She said it could be helped with a daily warm eye compress, and mentioned that there were some that you could microwave. These would hold heat longer than say, a wet washcloth. Has anyone used one and had a recommendation? PS: not looking for recs of eye drops, as my Dr said these would not really help. Thanks!
posted by cozenedindigo to Health & Fitness (19 answers total)

Optase was happened to be on the shelf when I was looking for an eye compress and it worked fine for me. It definitely holds heat longer than a washcloth. I did find that using for the recommended 10 minutes meant that I had a few moments of blurred vision after I took it off, which I suspect had something to do with the weight of it.
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:00 PM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

I use this one and like it a lot, although I imagine most of them work well. The main thing for me is the elastic headband is very useful -- I can stand up and do stretches while wearing the compress, which I couldn't do with my first one without a headband.

My understanding is that having blurred vision for a couple minutes afterwards is a normal/good thing, as it's the clogged oils in your glands melting away (or something like that?)
posted by bongerino at 7:01 PM on November 20, 2023

The one I use is called a Bruder mask, and it is great. Definitely holds heat and moisture longer than a wet washcloth, which is what I used before.
posted by rpfields at 7:01 PM on November 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

BTW, I know you were looking for masks, but this little eye roller has helped me a lot. You run it under warm water and then roll it over the edge of your eyelids to stimulate the glands.
posted by rpfields at 7:10 PM on November 20, 2023

Put dry rice in a sock. Use a dress sock or two if you want to be fancy. Cut it to the right size and microwave it for a minute to heat it as hot as you like. It will get steamy, and it will stay warm a long time and provide nice weight while it conforms to heat the whole area evenly.

In addition to being one of the best warm compresses, it is also one of the least expensive and most readily available.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:10 PM on November 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

My eye doctor recommended this one which is microwavable.

She also recommended a sort of warm eye massage: whenever you’re in a warm shower, warm up your hands with the water and just gently rub your fingers over your closed eyelids, kind of starting at the top of the eyelid and gently dragging down. Apparently it warms up and distributes the oils in your eyes.
posted by rodneyaug at 7:22 PM on November 20, 2023

I use the same one bongerino does (also for dry eye) and it works very well for me.
posted by MagnificentVacuum at 8:07 PM on November 20, 2023

My local drug store had this one made by Thermalon available so that’s what I got and it’s pretty awesome. It retains heat a very long time, and has a pleasant weight to it. Love that I don’t actually get a wet face from it even though the beads inside do make the heat slightly steamy.
posted by Mizu at 12:33 AM on November 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

I like this heated eye mask, it's got multi settings and a timer. (Don't like the weight of many of the microwavable masks, or the way they cool off). Eye doc said to use the mask for 10-15 minutes, and gently wipe eyelids with a warm, damp cloth (which I prep, then keep in a travel mug) to clear the expressed oils/secretions before opening eyes again.
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:43 AM on November 21, 2023

I also use an optase one, but largely as it was on the shelf at the pharmacy. It works fine with a minute in the microwave then some cool down time to get to a useable temperature. My optician recommended this video about an eye regime for dry eye. It basically adds a second step for clearing out the ducts, along the same lines as rpfields' eye roller above.
posted by biffa at 4:21 AM on November 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

I use this one because I got tired of spending a lot of time each day without use of my eyes. It straps on and only covers one eye at a time so I can do other stuff.
posted by metasarah at 5:59 AM on November 21, 2023

I use the Bruder mask linked above for the same problem and it's great. I put a paper towel between the mask and my eyes to keep the oils/any eye makeup from getting into the mask. I'm very tempted by the heated mask that Iris Gambol linked, though - I like to mask right when I wake up and it would be nice not to have to run downstairs to heat up the mask.

If you'd like an unsolicited suggestion, I've found consistent fish oil pills also help with dry eyes from MGD.
posted by punchtothehead at 6:26 AM on November 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

I like my optase. I had to adjust it though - the strap doesn't work so I have to lay on my back and let gravity hold it on. Also, it's too wide, so a binder clip between the eyes (after taking out of microwave) is necessary for my teensy face. Seems to hold heat for a good 10 minutes.
posted by bluesky78987 at 6:31 AM on November 21, 2023

This is the one I got, because it was pink and satin and pretty and the option of setting very low temperatures is really nice. I really dislike the feeling of microwavable bags on my eyes especially because they get damp when they cool down. I use an Ocusoft wipe before and after in order to be extra clean and because I'm paranoid about ocular rosacea. I also rub the edge of my eyelids gently with either clean fingers or a q-tip.
posted by yueliang at 8:44 AM on November 21, 2023 [2 favorites]

Another vote for a heated eye mask. I found the microwaveable ones were sometimes too hot and then cooled very quickly.
posted by kimdog at 10:27 AM on November 21, 2023

I hate wasting energy, but I accept the costs of my usb-powered electrically heated eye mask. The microwave thing was too many steps. This I can put on at bedtime.
posted by amtho at 10:38 AM on November 21, 2023

Another vote for Bruder mask. But just like everyone mentioned, the microwable mask sometimes gets overheated. I recently started using heated eye mask where you can set timer and also adjust the heat level which is really good.
posted by SunPower at 6:40 PM on November 21, 2023

Heh. After my comment yesterday about trying a non-microwaved mask, my lovely partner gave me this one last night for my birthday. I've used it twice already and it's delightful! I like that the mask part itself is smaller, because my eye sockets get red with the larger one.
posted by punchtothehead at 7:44 AM on November 22, 2023

Not the cheapest option, but I've found the Manta mask to work well. The eye cups are microwaveable, and then attach to the mask with velcro so you can place them to fit your eyes well. You can buy other eye cups too, if you want cool eye cups or just a regular sleeping mask eye covers.
posted by past unusual at 4:21 PM on November 22, 2023