title: In-vivo heat retention comparison of eyelid warming masks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye. Warm compresses (WC) are recommended as adjunct therapy to slowly transfer heat to the meibomian glands to melt or soften the stagnant meibum with targeted temperatures of 40-45°C. This clinical study evaluated the heat retention profiles of commercially available eyelid warming masks over a 12-min interval.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five eyelid-warming masks (MGDRx Eyebag(®), EyeDoctor(®), Bruder(®), Tranquileyes XR™, Thera°Pearl(®)) were heated following manufacturer's instructions and heat retention was assessed at 1-min intervals for 12min. A facecloth warmed with hot tap water was used as comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve (n=12) subjects participated in the study (10F:2M, ranging in age from 21 to 30 with an average of 23.2±3.8years). Each mask demonstrated a unique heat retention profile, reaching maximum temperature at different times and having a different final temperature at the end of the 12-min evaluation. After heating, all eyelid warming masks reached a temperature near 37°C within the first minute. The facecloth was significantly cooler than all other masks as of the 2-min mark (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reusability, availability and heat retention profiles should be considered when selecting an eyelid warming masks for adjunct WC therapy in the management of MGD. All masks tested, with the exception of the facecloth, demonstrated stable heat retention throughout the 12min, bringing further awareness that patient education is required to discuss the shortcomings of the heat retention of the facecloth, if only heated once.
authors.affiliation: Ecole d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: etty.bitton@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Etty
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bitton
authors.affiliation: Ecole d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Zoé
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.affiliation: Ecole d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Léger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008537:Meibomian Glands; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Eyelid temperature; MGD; Warm compress