Dry Eye Relief: Are Warm Compresses Worth It?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Dry Eyes on May 1, 2023

If you suffer from dry eye, you likely experience constant discomfort, from itching to a gritty feeling, as well as blurry vision or burning. When you’re seeking relief from these symptoms, you’ll try anything to lessen the effects.

There are many ways you can help improve your dry eye symptoms. Keep reading to learn if warm compresses are worth it!

What Causes Dry Eye?

In a healthy eye, there’s a balance of moisture thanks to tear production. Tears lubricate the eye and reduce the chance of infection.

With every blink, a tear film spreads over your eye, washing away particles and keeping the surface smooth and protected. 

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The most common cause of dry eye is MGD or meibomian gland dysfunction. Inside your eyelid are tiny glands called meibomian glands. They produce a liquid that protects the tear film. 

When the meibomian gland becomes clogged, it can’t release that protective liquid. That’s when dry eye occurs. 

The lids of your eyes can become dry and crusty, and the eyelash follicles can collect debris, making you even more uncomfortable.

Who is at Risk For Dry Eye?

Contact lens wearers, those who spend a lot of time on personal devices, postmenopausal women, and individuals with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are all at greater risk for dry eye. Certain medications, like beta blockers and antihistamines, can make you more prone to MGD. 

Seasonal allergies, as well as dry and windy conditions can contribute to the problem.

How Warm Compresses Help

Heat and moisture can not only soothe irritated eyelids but can help to loosen debris and ease blockages. A heated eye mask worn for a period of time can increase hydration of the eyelids and improve oil production in the tear film.

If you choose to try a heated eye mask, these are typically heated to a recommended temperature in a microwave and applied for ten to fifteen minutes. Studies have shown that they can provide relief for those with mild-to-moderate MGD. 

Heat and moisture from a washcloth soaked in water, wrung out, and placed over your eyes is also soothing. It can also help keep your eye moist. 

As with an eye mask, wear the warm compress over your eyes for ten to fifteen minutes. This can be done morning and night. 

Treating MGD with LipiFlow

Until recently, treatment for dry eye was difficult and not always effective. In some cases, at-home treatment methods like warm compresses may not adequately improve your symptoms.

Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest may suggest a recent development in the treatment of dry eye and MGD: the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. It’s a completely non-invasive procedure that uses therapeutic heat, and eyelid massage therapy to ease blockages. 

LipiFlow is a medical device that heats up and massages the blockages. This treatment can be performed in minutes during an office visit.

Using Vector Thermal Pulsation technology, your eye doctor will apply heat and pressure to the blocked glands. This massage-like procedure will liquefy and clear the obstructions that cause dry eye symptoms.

If warm compresses are helping you to feel comfortable, use them to manage your dry eye. But if they’re not providing enough relief, ask your eye doctor about LipiFlow. 

Are you tired of dealing with the symptoms of dry eye on your own? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!


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Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more