This eye mask is great for a few reasons. One, it’s weighted with clay beads, so similar to a weighted blanket, it can create a comfortable, relaxing feeling that makes it easier for you to fall asleep. But the really great part is that this mask has a removable, machine-washable cotton cover, which makes keeping it clean so easy. You can use it for both hot and cold therapy; just pop it in the freezer to keep it cold, or in the microwave to warm it up. It even comes with a carrying pouch to keep it protected from germs when you travel.

Belmonte C, Nichols JJ, Cox SM, et al. TFOS DEWS II pain and sensation report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):404-37. There is often great discrepancy between symptoms and signs in DED, making it important to assess subjective measurements in addition to the objective ones 57. OSDI was chosen as the primary subjective outcome as it is a commonly used and validated questionnaire for DED and MGD 44, 46, 47. There was a significant decrease in OSDI after the first three months with a sustained benefit at six months. The differences in FBUT with regards to sex and age were not seen for OSDI-scores. For effective treatment of MGD, temperatures of warm compresses need to exceed 40°C 26– 28, setting the basis for treatment with heating devices. Several studies have shown that Blephasteam (Spectrum Thea Pharmaceuticals LTD, Macclesfield, UK), a steam-based system, is effective at delivering heat to the eyelids and treating MGD 19, 29– 31. Only one other trial has compared Blephasteam to another device 32. Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA Lacroix, Z., Leger, S. & Bitton, E. Ex vivo heat retention of different eyelid warming masks. Cont. Lens Anterior Eye 38(3), 152–156 (2015).Smith, J., Nichols, K. K. & Baldwin, E. K. Current patterns in the use of diagnostic tests in dry eye evaluation. Cornea 27(6), 656–662 (2008). Even when applied properly, makeup debris can migrate to the lid and conjunctiva, contributing to dry eye symptoms. Photo: Leslie O’Dell, OD Wolffsohn JS, Arita R, Chalmers R, et al. TFOS DEWS II diagnostic methodology report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):539-74. Dry eye therapy is often incredibly daunting to patients. Most people are familiar with diseases treated with a course of medication, surgery or a few weeks of palliative measures as their body fights off the untreatable virus. Unfortunately, dry eye tends to be chronic and patients must understand that they are in for a lifetime of care. I liken this new eye care approach to that of their dental care. Without thinking, most of us floss, brush and see our dentist regularly. Similarly, all patients, and dry eye patients in particular, need to care for and maintain a healthy ocular surface over their lifetime.

Lee W, Lim SS, Won JU, et al. The association between sleep duration and dry eye syndrome among korean adults. Sleep Medicine. 2015;16:1327-31. Bradley, J. L. et al. Dry eye disease ranking among common reasons for seeking eye care in a large US claims database. Clin. Ophthalmol. 13, 225–232 (2019).Moss S, Klein R, Klein B. Long term incidence of dry eye in an older population. Optom Vis Sci. 2008;85:668-74. Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden Thomas J, Jacorb GP, Abraham L, Noushad B. The effect of smoking on the ocular surface and the precorneal tear film. Australas Med J. 2012;5(4):221-6. Lane, S. S. et al. A new system, the LipiFlow, for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Cornea 31(4), 396–404 (2012).