Dry eyes, blocked meibomian glands - help!

[Mabelflo]

After a few weeks of itchy eyes, using blephasol to clean and Hycosan blue a few times a day after self diagnosis (Dr Google) I saw my contact lens optician yesterday. No signs of blepharitis but did note lots of blocked meibomian glands. I came away with a heated eye mask and instructions to buy Hycosan extra. Also no contact lenses for now :(

I did the mask last night and had blurred vision for a while afterwards which freaked me out! So my question is did this work for people and do you have any other tips to unblock these glands? It’s a bit miserable, office job in front of a screen all day and I want to scratch my eyes out.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

The heated eye mask is good but I was advised that when you eyes are inflamed it is better to wait a few days before using one.

I recommend using these eye drops to keep your eyes moist whilst the glands are blocked:

https://www.boots.com/systane-ultra-ud-lubricant-eye-drops-30-vials-0-7ml-each-10169143

Take high strength cod liver oil - takes at least 2 weeks for benefit to kick in.

ibroprofen if your eyes are very inflamed.

massage the eye lids to stimulate the oils, particularly once you can comfortably use the heated mask. Good luck! ❤️

Thanks very much @MrsMalaga eyes sore today so will leave the mask until next week and use drops plus get started on cod liver oil. Thanks again

I find the heated eyebags very helpful for this. I also take seabuckthorn which makes a HUGE difference and use clintas soothe eyedrops during flare ups.

I was advised to use the heated mask straight away. First time it felt like you describe but never again after that. Not sure why you'd wait to use it if it's been advised for now. It made a huge difference

yes - that’s fair enough - certainly the masks are transformative. I was just sharing the advice of the optician who I saw when my blepharitis was in flare up. I also recall that some of the stinging sensation when using the mask initially was a result of heat going onto scratchy eyes. At the very least I think applying some non preservative eye drops before using the mask will provide some relief whilst OP is waiting for the oils to get going again.

Thanks all for the tips. Seabuckthorn ordered and I’ll try the mask again!

Thanks for all this info, my eyes have become really dry recently. Just a question about sea buckthorn - do you take it as a supplement or just as an oil/spray directly in your eyes?

Hi @WisteriaSister Supplement (tablets) from pharmanord/ Holland and Barrett. I can’t say if it works yet as only just started. The mask/drops combo is helping a bit. Have you seen your optician?

Blurred vision afterwards is actually a really good sign! (But I actually tell patients that in case of this reaction!). It means to trapped oils have been released (they just need a while to mingle into the rest of the tear film).

Make sure you massage the lids after too, to get the oils expressed properly. It's a long term condition, you'll find the symptoms might ease but if you stop the warm compresses, they will return.

I use my heated eye mask before going to sleep - around 10 minutes, a quick massage of my eyelids then sleep.

I was advised by a specialist to use the heated eye bag first thing then wipe the area with a blephaclean ( or is it clear) wipe, followed by hydrosan extra 4 times a day. Night time ointment, which I don't use as it makes me worse.

any tips for this? I've just been diagnosed and my worse symptoms are greasy eyelids but no sign blepharitis

I have bletharitis and I do use blephasol daily, but I also use eye mist when my eyes get really dry and its really great for stopping the eye from twitching and feeling so dry

Just to update - with mask, night ointment and drops they are a bit better, maybe 20% better. Drops seem to have most effect, which makes sense. Not bad after a week though - last week they were so irritated they hurt again 20 min after drops. Can go hours without thinking about it now. Hoping this continues.

I'm thinking of funding IPL... a heat mask twice a day forever with little improvement is hard work. Ophthalmologist recommended visuevo drops and they have massively helped me as my right eye was getting so irritated