Compress that brings fast relief

DO YOUR eyes feel sore, dry and gritty? Dry eye disease affects up to 70 per cent of people at some point. Glands in our eyelids should produce a thin, smooth oil that keeps them moist. But this can thicken to a buttery consistency, due to ageing or overuse of computers, for example. Company director Minnie Johnson, 47, started suffering from dry eye disease last summer, when she was working 12-hour days on her computer. ‘My eyes became sore, itchy and dry and I felt constantly exhausted. A hospital consultant diagnosed dry eye disease, linked to the peri-menopause and my use of computers. ‘I was told to clean and massage the eyelids and use eye drops, but after two weeks my eyes still felt sore. ‘The constant itchiness and blinking was very frustrating and I felt as if I was frowning all the time. It was also difficult to wear any eye make-up without looking like a panda!’ Minnie did her own research and read that it might be helpful to take Omega-3 supplements, drink more water and use a hot eye compress. She found that Boots sold a microwaveable hot eye compress endorsed by television’s Dr Hilary Jones, which had good reviews. ‘I now use it daily at about 3pm and then before bedtime, and have the condition under control, so feel much better,’ says Minnie. ‘The compress brings immediate relief.’ It should be microwaved for 30 seconds and placed over the eyes for seven to ten minutes. The compress retains heat long enough to melt the buttery oil so it becomes liquid again. Once glands are unblocked, healthy oil is produced.