Drop in Temperature May Explain the Increase in Dry Eye Suffering

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2011) — Springtime may be just what the doctor orders for individuals suffering from dry eye condition, a disorder resulting from insufficient tear production or altered tear film composition. According to a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, a temperature less than 30 degrees Celsius on the eye and eyelid could be the cause for the onset or worsening of the disorder.

Read the full study here: http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/03/110303111632.htm

Increase in tear film lipid layer thickness following treatment with warm compresses in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Warm, moist compress therapy applied to the skin of the closed eyelids increases TFLLT for subjects with MGD by more than 80%, 5 minutes after initiating treatment and an additional 20% after 15 minutes of treatment. This study supports clinical experience and previous reports on warm, moist compress therapy as an effective treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Read the full study here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12695712

Put the Squeeze on Meibomian Gland Disease

A study out of Oxford University found that heating the lids about 9ºF significantly increased meibomian oil production.7 Using warm compresses, heat should be applied to the eyes for two to 10 minutes. This warms the meibum, allowing it to flow more freely, and helps soften lash debris.

Read the full article here: http://www.revoptom.com/content/c/15811/

Disposable eyelid-warming device for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

Warming the eyelids with the Eye Warmer improved the stability and uniformity of the tear lipid layer in MGD patients by melting the meibomian gland lipid. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the Eye Warmer for the treatment of MGD.

Read the abstract here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14636848?dopt=Abstract

The influence of eyelid temperature on the delivery of meibomian oil.

[Results] agree with the reported benefit of warm compresses to improve delivery from dysfunctional glands. The most likely explanation for our findings is a change in the viscosity of the meibomian oil.

Read the abstract here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15106914?dopt=Abstract

Tear film lipid layer thickness and ocular comfort after meibomian therapy via latent heat with a novel device in normal subjects.

Meibomian therapy with this device increases LLT in normal individuals. This implies a more stable tear film, reflected in subjective improvement in ocular comfort.

Read the abstract here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15332095?dopt=Abstract