Choosing eye masks for dry eyes
Do you have burning, itchy, sore eyes? There may be an easy way to get some relief at home: Put on a dry eye mask. Dry eye syndrome (dry eyes) is a common condition with a wide variety of causes, including aging, air travel, contact lens wear, post LASIK dryness, and too much time in a dry indoor environment.
Looking for relief? Discover how dry eye masks work and the best eye masks for dry eyes on the market.
Getting relief for dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a common eye issue that can cause a really uncomfortable feeling known as “foreign body sensation” — it’s a gritty feeling similar to getting dust or sand in your eye.
Other symptoms of dry eye may include:
- Achy eyes
- Blurry vision (fluctuations in vision)
- Eye dryness or excessive watering
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Tired eyes
Dry eye syndrome can also lead to inflammation and may cause long-term damage, including scarring on the surface of the eyes.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye, it’s important to see your eye doctor right away. These symptoms could also be caused by an eye infection or other eye conditions.
There are a variety of treatments for dry eyes. For example, your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or punctal plugs — devices placed in your tear ducts to slow the draining of tears. They may also recommend an in-office treatment.
There also are a number of dry eye home remedies your eye care professional may suggest. For example, it may help to take frequent breaks from screens, use a humidifier and wear a dry eye mask to soothe your eyes.
What is a dry eye mask?
A dry eye mask is a face mask designed to be worn over the eyes to treat dry, sore, irritated eyes. There are several types of eye masks for dry eyes, including heated eye masks for dry eyes and dry eye sleep masks.
A dry eye mask can:
- Act as a warm, soothing compress for the eyes
- Protect your eyes from air conditioning and fans
- Warm the natural oils in your meibomian glands for better lubrication
Eye care professionals often recommend eye protection and warm compresses for dry eye syndrome, and different types of dry eye masks may help to provide both benefits.
How does a heated eye mask for dry eyes work?
Some patients who have dry eyes have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In fact, MGD plays a part in many cases of dry eye.
In MGD, eye inflammation can cause the meibomian glands, which produce the oil (meibum) in your tears, to get clogged. To relieve MGD symptoms, eye doctors often recommend using warm compresses or heated dry eye masks.
A heated mask works like this:
- The mask warms the oil in your meibomian glands
- The heat thins the oil, loosening clogs in the glands
- Oil can then flow out of the glands and into the tear film
- The tear film, made of oil, watery liquid and mucus-like secretions, moistens the eyes
Some types of heated dry eye masks may work better than a washcloth moistened with warm water. That’s because you need to apply heat of about 108 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes to thin the meibum. A wet washcloth cannot supply appropriate heat for this long.
Choosing a heated eye mask for dry eyes
The ideal heated mask for dry eyes depends on your needs and situation. For example, do you want a dry eye mask that can be heated in the microwave for use as a warm compress? Or do you need a mask you can take with you on the go?
Be sure to read the packaging carefully. This will help you choose a heated dry eye mask that fits your needs and your eye doctor’s recommendations. Things to check for may include:
Does it require a microwave or access to warm water?
Does it require other accessories?
How many uses should it last?
Does it cover one or both eyes?
Do you want to try a dry eye sleep mask?
Some patients with dry eye syndrome use a dry eye sleep mask at night or during naps. A dry eye sleep mask may work well for patients with dry eye who:
- Experience nighttime eye irritation due to leaking air from a CPAP machine or similar device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea
- Sleep under a fan or near a draft from an air conditioning unit that dries out the eyes at night
Depending on your needs, a plain sleep mask may work well to block drafts from reaching your eyes.
Another option may be a goggle-style mask. These masks, called moisture chamber goggles, help by creating a barrier around the eyes to keep more moisture in.
Some styles also include methods for adding extra moisture inside the goggle chambers. For example, they may use a special misting spray or replaceable, moistened seals that fit around the chambers’ edges.
When choosing a sleep mask for dry eye, read the packaging to check for things like:
Is it designed and recommended for sleeping or only for shorter daytime use?
Is it made from a flexible or rigid plastic?
Does it have an adjustable head strap?
If it includes a method for adding moisture, how does it work? How many uses are included?
See your eye doctor
Do you worry that your tired eyes could be a sign of dry eye? See your eye doctor for a checkup. They can tell you whether you may have temporary eye dryness or signs of dry eye syndrome. An eye doctor can recommend a variety of dry eye treatments to help you find relief.
