Compress relieves dry eyes
DO YOUR eyes feel sore, dry and gritty? Dry-eye disease affects up to 70 per cent of the population at some point. Glands in our eyelids should produce a thin oil that keeps them moist. But this smooth oil can thicken to a buttery consistency, due to ageing. Triggers can also include smoking, overuse of computer screens and smartphones, and a diet that is low in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. But regular use of a warm eyelid compress, combined with gentle massage, has been shown in research to be an effective way to relieve dry-eye disease. Amelia Mulley, aged 30, has suffered from dry eye since her teens, particularly when working at a computer, and now uses a hot eye compress daily. Amelia says: ‘Using a hot eye compress every night, followed by a gentle eyelid massage, has been so successful. ‘I get to sleep faster and have halved the amount I spend on eye drops, too, as I no longer need them daily. I can even wear eye make-up during the day, which used to be impossible for me.’ A new eye compress is available from Boots. You microwave it for 30 seconds and place it over the eyes for seven to ten minutes. The compress retains heat long enough to melt the buttery oil so that it becomes liquid again. Once glands are unblocked, healthy oil is produced.