Warm eye compresses are key elements of treatment for some common eye conditions consisting of sties, chalazia and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These conditions differ but share in common the obstruction of oil glands of the eyes. Using warm compresses to the afflicted area promotes resolution of the blockage.
How To Make a Hot (Warm) Compress for the Eye
It might appear that making a homemade hot compress for eyes is quite simple – simply dip a cloth in warm water and apply it to the eye. Nevertheless, this technique is not extremely reliable due to the fact that it fails to effectively warm the eyelid for a sufficient period of time. The warm compress bundle approach is a bit more involved but shows far more reliable, as it guarantees continual heating of the eyelid at the appropriate temperature for the time needed to be valuable.
- Fold each cloth in thirds, such that each resulting rectangle-shaped piece of fabric is approximately the same size.
- With the narrow end of one of the folded cloths facing you, wrap completion around the drinking straw. If you do not have a drinking straw, use a pencil. Roll the rest of the fabric securely around the straw then slide the straw out.
- Taking one folded fabric at a time in the exact same orientation, roll each cloth securely around the previously rolled fabric to create a bundle that consists of all 5 fabrics. Loosely secure the package with a large elastic band or piece of string.
- Moisten the package with warm– not hot– water from the tap. Squeeze or press out excess water so that the bundle is not dripping wet.
- Place the dampened cloth package into the baking meal and cover with the cover. Microwave for 1 minute and 50 seconds. Heating times may differ, depending upon the power of your microwave and the cloths used.
- Remove the heating meal from the microwave and reserved to cool for 1 to 2 minutes with the cover in place.
- Remove the cover from the baking dish. Cut the elastic band or string off the fabric package. Remove the outermost cloth. Replace the meal lid to keep the rest of the package warm.
- Test the temperature of the fabric by putting it versus your inner wrist. It should be hot but not uneasy. If the fabric feels uncomfortably hot, enable it to cool for 10 seconds and reconsider the temperature. Repeat as required up until the cloth reaches an appropriate temperature.
- Place the fabric on the affected eye. Set a timer for 2 minutes and keep the warm compress in place for this time period.
- After 2 minutes, remove the first cloth and set aside. Open the meal holding the other cloths in the bundle. Take the next fabric off the rolled bundle and change the meal cover. Place the new fabric on the impacted eye, set the timer for 2 minutes, and leave the compress in location for this quantity of time.
- Repeat previous step for the remaining 3 warmed fabrics. Total application time of the warm compress package will be approximately 10 minutes– 2 minutes per cloth.
- Repeat the warm compress bundle approach 2 to 4 times daily as directed by your doctor.
Warnings
- Never ever use a warm compress hotter than 113 F (45 C) to your eye.
- Right away eliminate any compress that feels annoyingly hot. Allow it to cool for at least 10 seconds prior to putting back on your eye to reconsider the temperature.
- Wash all cloths used in a warm eye compress package in hot water prior to recycling.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience eyelid swelling. Look for urgent treatment if the swelling is accompanied by any indication or symptoms including:
- sudden vision modification
- fever or chills
- rapidly advancing redness or swelling of the eyelid or skin near the eye
- rash near the eye
- eyeball pain
- tingling, itching or burning feeling of the eyelid or close-by skin
Tips
- Using a warm compress to your eye is normally most convenient while resting. Have a hot pad or trivet upon which to put the baking meal consisting of the warmed fabric bundle near where you will be resting. This will make exchanging the warm compresses easier.
- Switch from one cloth to the next as rapidly as possible to keep the warming of the eyelid tissue for a full 10 minutes. This will supply the most benefit.
- The optimum temperature for a warm eye compress is 104 to 113 F (40 to 45 C). Microwave heating times differ, depending on the power of your microwave and the fabrics you use. Therefore, it’s valuable to check the temperature of the first cloth with a food thermometer till you define the precise heating time necessary to accomplish the appropriate temperature for the compresses.
Things You’ll Need
- 5 cotton washcloths or microfiber fabrics
- Drinking straw or pencil
- Large rubber band or 18-inch piece of string
- 2-quart, microwave-safe baking meal with a cover
- Microwave
- Food thermometer (optional).