Increase in Tear Film Lipid Layer Thickness Following Treatment with Warm Compresses in Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Abstract

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.

Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis in childhood: corneal involvement and visual outcome

“…10,14 Warm compresses prior to lid massage and omega-3 supplementation were added to patients with MGD, history of chalazia and hordeolum. 14,[19][20][21][22][23] Omega-3 supplementation may have an adjunctive effect on the management of MGD and inflammatory dry eye. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] It has been shown that omega-3 modulate prostaglandin metabolism toward anti-inflammatory prostaglandin (PGE 3 ) synthesis due to competitive inhibition of the arachidonic acid pathway at the cyclo-and lipooxygenase level.…”

Ex vivo heat retention of different eyelid warming masks

“…In patients with MGD, the meibum has an altered chemical structure that increases its melting point compared to the physiological 32 • C [2,9,10]. The exact melting point of meibum in those suffering from MGD has yet to be determined, as the chemical composition of the secretions is variable and in turn affects its physical attributes [11].…”

Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

“…Following treatment, subjects reported symptomatic relief and showed an increase in tear film lipid layer thickness and less solidified sebum. In another study of 20 patients with dry eye associated with MGD, an increase in tear film lipid layer thickness was demonstrated following the application of warm moist compresses [14]. There are commercially available microwavable eyelid masks, which maintain warm temperatures far longer than wet washcloths.…”