Heated eye mask and eyelid massage combination shows promise for improving tear film in dry eye
Using a heated eye mask followed by an eyelid massage can improve tear film lipid layer stability and meibomian gland function in patients with evaporative dry eye, according to a study. However, the overall impact on other ocular metrics, such as corneal health and visual acuity, was found to be minimal and not statistically significant.
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a heated eye mask (HEM) and the EyePeace (EP) eyelid massage device in treating evaporative dry eye (EDE) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In this trial, 40 participants underwent 10 minutes of HEM therapy followed by eyelid massage on one eye. Researchers measured various ocular parameters, including tear film lipid layer, meibomian gland expressibility, and non-invasive breakup time, at baseline, 5, 15, and 30 minutes post-treatment.
There were significant improvements in tear film lipid layer and meibomian gland expressibility after 30 minutes in the EP+HEM group compared to the HEM-only group. However, changes in other metrics, such as redness score, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure, were not statistically significant.
The study concluded that combining HEM and EP therapy can enhance tear film stability and meibomian gland function, but the immediate impact on the cornea was minimal.
Reference
Chen J, Yu S, Qin G, et al. Immediate sequential changes in the tear film lipid layer following eyelid massage in dry eye syndrome: A comparative control study. Heliyon. 2024;10(17):e36590. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36590. PMID: 39286233; PMCID: PMC11403505.
