Do Heated eye masks work? We look at the research
Heated eye mask lovers are firm believers in the benefits it can provide - from alleviating dry eye symptoms to improving blood circulation around the eyes. That said, many people still wonder if these types of eye masks really work. In this post, we tackle this very question “do heated eye masks work?” and explain how it’s a useful tool for promoting relaxation and providing relief for certain eye conditions or symptoms.
Do Heated Eye Masks Work?
Do Heated eye masks actually work? The short answer is yes, they do, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Numerous studies have shown heated eye masks can help people with chronic conditions such as dry eyes & blepharitis. Heat applied to the eyes has also been researched to help headache and migraine sufferers.
How Do Heated Eye Masks Work?
We know they work - but how? When applied onto the eyes, a heated eye mask helps to unclog the meibomian glands to improve oil gland function. This method can also be described as a warm compress.
The heat loosens the debris and flakes that can be found around the eyelash line, and also helps to liquefy meibum. A warm compress can also help alleviate dry eye symptoms by improving the quality and flow of tears.
Now that we've answered if heated eye masks work, let’s look at the history of heated eye masks and their use.
The History of Heated Eye Masks
The use of heated eye masks for therapeutic purposes can be traced back to ancient times. In China, traditional medicine has long used warm compresses or herbal eye masks to treat various eye conditions, such as dry eyes, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis.
However, the modern heated eye mask was first developed in Japan in the 1980s. It was initially created for use in hospitals to treat patients suffering from eye strain and other eye conditions. The mask was designed to apply heat to the eyes, which helps to improve blood circulation and alleviate eye fatigue.
The popularity of heated eye masks grew quickly in Japan, and soon, they became available for home use. Japanese companies began producing disposable heated eye masks that could be easily heated in a microwave and used for a single session. These masks were an instant hit and soon spread to other parts of Asia.
In recent years, the popularity of heated eye masks has grown globally, with many companies offering various types of masks with different heating mechanisms, materials, and designs. Heated eye masks are now commonly used for a variety of purposes, including relaxation, stress relief, and improving sleep quality.
Overall, the history of heated eye masks reflects a long-standing interest in using warmth to soothe and heal the eyes, and the modern-day popularity of these masks demonstrates the continuing relevance of this ancient therapeutic practice.
Do heated eye masks work for my condition?
Heated eye masks can help people with eye strain but do they work for people with chronic conditions? This can depend on a few different factors but for many conditions, yes the heat that is released from the mask is very effective in opening the glands along the eyelashes which helps soothe irritated eyes. Here are some of the conditions that heated eye masks support.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction & Depression
According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, patients reported an improvement of discomfort symptoms with a moderate to high satisfaction with treatment. Using a heated eye mask can benefit from dry eye symptoms such as: Gritty, itchy and watery eyes. In fact, Another study from the same source suggests using a warming eye mask improves not only the ocular surface conditions but also the subjective depression scores.
Blepharitis
Dr Nelson states “you can’t beat heat” in an article published by the The American academy Of Ophthamology. To treat blepharitis, unclogging the oil glands is key for treatment. Using a heated eye mask helps melt down the hardened debris making it easier to clean the eyelids.
A heated eye mask is the perfect gadget to help alleviate the symptoms of blepharitis. They work by improving circulation to the eyelids, loosening any crusts or debris and to help soothe inflammation.