One of Westside Optometry’s mainstay treatments for ocular surface disease is a microwaveable eye mask to use at home. This heat mask works much better than a hot washcloth because it maintains heat for 6 to 10 minutes. Until recently we used the same technique in the office to warm the meibomian glands before expressing them.
Our new device is used in the office. It produces constant heat, but more targeted and sustained. Heat and gentle pressure are applied to the eyelids with a special device that melts the waxy substance trapped inside the meibomian glands.
Once sufficient heat has been applied (about 10 minutes) the doctor will apply compression to the lids to express the clogged meibomian glands. The application of controlled and localized heat is beneficial for dry eyes, blepharitis and styes.
In most cases, the doctor will follow the thermal treatment and expression with a BlephEx session to clean the lids and lashes thoroughly of all debris and demodex.