A Guide to Heated Eye Masks for Dry Eye

We can’t pretend we don’t have dry eyes, but we might try to “mask the problem” – and that’s what I’ve done.

At my last visit to the optometrist, she set out a treatment plan that included using an eye mask that creates moist heat.

Using a heated eye mask

So I went to the pharmacy and purchased a microwaveable mask, brought it home, heated it up, and I was on my way with this new device. It’s a great help for me. I still use my lubricating eye drops, but the mask definitely adds relief. Sometimes I alternate the mask with a warm, moist facecloth, but I prefer the mask.

It’s had plenty of use, has been washed many times, and is looking decidedly old and grotty. It needs replacing, so I’ve started a search for a new one (at pharmacies and online) for my eye care.

How a heated mask helps dry eye

But before I tell you what I found, I should back up a bit. Why exactly would you use a heated eye pad?

Heated masks help unclog the meibomian glands in the eyes. These glands are in the upper and lower eyelids and produce the oil in your tears. This oil mixes with the tear film to reduce the speed at which your tears evaporate. If the glands get clogged, your tear film's composition changes. Dysfunction of these glands is one of the main causes of chronic dry eye.

A heated mask works in the following way:¹

• The oil in your meibomian glands is warmed by the heat in the mask
• The heat thins the oil, and loosens any clogs in the glands
• Oil can flow from the glands into the tear film
• The tear film can then moisten the eyes

From my information-gathering quest, I have discovered the following types of dry eye masks. Only a doctor could recommend if one of these is suitable for us, but it helps to know what is out there.

What different types exist?

Microwave-heated

This is what I’ve been using so far. You heat the mask in the microwave for the time listed in the instructions. You then place the mask over your eyes for the time recommended. I would check with my doctor about these two points. Most of these masks are self-moisturizing. Mine has silica beads that absorb moisture from the air and release it when heated, creating moist heat.

USB heated eye mask

USB heated eye masks have a USB adapter and can be plugged into a laptop or computer port to charge. They have multiple heat levels and a timer function. I know I would find both of those functions useful. My optometrist wanted me to use my original mask for ten minutes, and setting the timer on my phone was a nuisance.

The temperature stays constant (which doesn’t happen with the microwaveable mask), and it switches off after the set time. This saves you reheating a microwaveable mask or re-wetting a facecloth. The heat from these electric masks isn't moist, but they say it should still unclog your meibomian glands.

Self-heating

These are cloth masks you put a wafer into. When you take the wafer out of its packet, you put it into a little pocket in the mask, and it automatically heats up and then stays hot for up to ten minutes. These sound good for traveling when you don’t have access to a microwave. Many of these masks have the word “steam” in their name and say they release moisture to hydrate your eyes.

Hot and cold in one

Some eye masks are made of gel and can be used either hot or cold. For dry eye care, some of these masks can be heated in the microwave and then applied to the eyes. Other gel masks aren’t designed for the microwave. You place them in a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes before using them. Placing the gel masks in the fridge or freezer makes them cold, of course. This is said to help with puffy eyes.

Which mask would be best for me?

Do I know which one I’m going to buy next? I don’t – not yet anyway! Do I know a bit more about the range available? I certainly do! A wide range of dry eye masks and heated eye pads is available, and it takes careful consideration to cut through the advertising hype and get to the useful information.

But there is still a lot to learn. How long should I leave it on, and at what temperature? And what about the safety concerns? These devices could do serious damage if not used properly. Some people have multiple eye conditions as well as chronic dry eye. Is a mask suitable for those people? So many questions.

I certainly won’t venture any further in my quest without a professional opinion on these masks. Only one person will answer my questions: my eye specialist. We’ll see what she says at my next visit.

Have you tried any of these masks? Please share your experiences below in the comments.