Bruder Moist Heat Mask
Bruder Mask Benefits: Improved red, tender, swollen eyelids and dry eyes
How does a Bruder mask actually help?
In clinic, red swollen eyelids are a very common complaint. If there is no discharge, the culprit is often clogged oil glands within the lids. Clogs lead to the swelling and subsequant dry eyes.
If you could see inside of your eyelids, you would see tiny 'meibomian' oil glands. If they become clogged, it is called a chalazion. If they become infected, it is called a 'sty' or hordeolum.
When I am face-to-face with a patient discussing options for their dry eyes or chalazions... there is almost always a inevitable eye roll when the importance of warm compresses is discussed. It sounds like a home remedy.
Why are warm compress treatments so effective and commonly part of dry eye and lid issue management recommendations?
When properly done, warm compresses help alleviate dry eye symptoms by increasing the flow of oils from the eye lid (meibomian) glands. These glands produce an important oily layer that slows your tears' evaporation. When these eye lid glands are blocked or not functioning well, the eye's tear chemistry is hijacked and the eye surface becomes irritated and/or inflamed.
More natural oil on your eyes means more stable vision / less intermittent blur and more comfort. A very relaxing SPA moment that is also great for eye health. A heating eye mask is the gold standard at our clinic - We highly recommend.
A Moist Heat mask is far better than face cloths because it delivers sustained moist heat. A face cloth will only stay warm for approximately 40 seconds and you need a minimum of 5 minutes to have a positive effect on lipid flow/production from those lid glands. 4 to 5 minutes of sustained heat from a mask followed by lid massage works wonders for dry eye sufferers. There a benefits for both acute treatment and ongoing condition management.
We recommend Bruder mask in clinic as a cross-over product for dry eye sufferers + eyelid pain issues + those suffering from digital eye strain. Mask recommendations often go hand-in-hand with recommendations for Omega 3 supplementation to also improve tear film oils.
How to use: The mask has one side that is more insulated so initially cooler and then when it starts to cool down - flip it over for more heat. Give your lids a massage after the heat to further increase effectiveness!
Bruder Mask Benefits:
- Safe for frequent use
- Warming the mask in a microwave effectively sterilizes it
- Self-hydrating – no need to add water
- Non-allergenic
- Can be cleaned and reused over and over
Eyelid Moisture Heat Masks are a very effective, holistic approach to dry eye and unclogging eyelid glands. Heating your eye lids enables/activates your own body to better produce the oils essential to create a great tear film. A warm compress system that creates the right temperature for the right length of time is critical for a success. There are many microwaveable eye masks available and mEYEspa sells two difference styles. This version of the heat mask has a gap over the bridge of the nose and Blepha Eyebag® has a continuous pillow over the entire ocular area.
You can find more information in our Dry Eye Guide
When to seek care?
There are many treatments for chalazion. In-Clinic and/or oral medication or even surgery may be necessary if the lumps do not clear. Speak to your eye care provider if you are not seeing resolution within 90 days or if there is discharge into the eye.
Related information also can be found in our blog entry: Our Swiss Army Knife / Versatility Award goes to Bruder Mask
Related mEYEspa Blogs
The Bruder Mask - A flexible, natural treatment option for many eye conditions
Best Choice for Warm Compress for Eyelids!
As a 30 year primary care optometry veteran, my vote for the Swiss Army knife of eye lid care is the Bruder mask.
Computer fatigue? - 5 minutes at the end of a long day - Spa-like heaven
Dry eyes? - Melt those needed lid oils to refresh eyeballs anytime
Lid soreness and irritation? - Help break-up the goop in clogged lid glands and at lash margin
Stys and Chalazion? - Masks are foundation care for these. See image and the links below for more information
The 5 minute sustained moist heat of this mask is the key. So much better than gel-based eye packs and the mess and ineffectiveness of a face-cloth.
If you could see inside of your eyelids, you would see these 'meibomian' oil glands. If they become clogged, it is called a chalazion. If they become infected, it is called a 'sty' or hordeolum.
Looking to buy Bruder eye mask in Canada? Certainly mEYEspa can help...
You're Welcome!
Dr. J
A Home Remedy that works! Warm compresses for dry eye with a Bruder Mask
When I am face-to-face with a patient discussing options for their dry eyes or chalazions, there is almost always a inevitable eye roll when the importance of warm compresses is discussed. It seems like such a simple concept and and a home remedy and certainly on of the first things that will come up when you google or ChatGPT for dry eye treatments. Why are proper warm compress treatments so effective and commonly part of my dry eye management recommendations? When properly done - Warm compresses help alleviate dry eye symptoms by increasing the flow of oils from the eye lid (meibomian) glands. These glandsproduce an important oily layer that slows your tears' evaporation. When these eye lid glands are blocked or not functioning well, the eye's tear chemistry is hijacked and the eye surface becomes irritated and/or inflamed.
Note that I have used the 'proper' above because most folks that have tried face cloth warm compresses fail because the cloth does not stay warm enough, long enough. In my opinion, we require at least 4 solid minutes of good warmth twice per day to have any positive clinical effect on these glands for dry eye therapy and more for chalazions. A face cloth might stay warm enough for 30 seconds. Old school tea bags are longer but you risk getting concentrated tea leaf acid into the eye causing more issues.
How proper warm eye lid compresses help:
Soften Blockages: As seen in the image above, these eye lid glands are long and thin and are vulnerable to be blocked. Think about Butter vs. Oil. You want oil to flow out these glands, but if they are clogged with butter... they do not work. The sustained heat from a good compress like a Bruder Mask can soften any hardened oils or blockages in the meibomian glands, helping to unblock them and improve oil flow.
Increase Blood Flow: Warmth any where to the skin increases blood flow to the area, promoting better gland function and providing relief from inflammation.
Perhaps Stimulate Production: It is thought that using warm compresses can help stimulate the actual production of the natural oils and increase volume.
What about the lumps in my lids? Do masks like a Bruder Moist Heat Mask help chalazions?
A chalazion is a large, angry blocked meibomian eye lid gland with no infection. Warm compresses are effective in treating chalazions. A chalazion is not a sty. A sty is an infection of the gland and often required antibiotic treatment. See your eye care professional if you have discharge or a completely swollen eye lid.
Regular use of proper warm compresses is easier said than done but it does help prevent chalazion recurrence. Regular use of proper warm compresses can keep-things-moving and reduce the likelihood of future blockages and the recurrence of chalazions. Clinically, we try and increase therapy success for prevention by also starting oral Omega 3's
Applying a warm compress for about 10 minutes, several times a day, is often recommended to effectively treat and prevent chalazions. This is longer that dry eye recommendations.
What is the best way to do a warm moist eye lid compress?
It is very hard to do a proper compress without a mask. These masks generally are put in the microwave to warm and sterilize them. They provide consistent heat for generally about 5 minutes. In clinic, I much prefer the re-usable type both for environmental but also the cheap gel masks do not provide a critical hydration part of the the therapy.
Clinic tested and approved warm moist heat masks are the perennial favorite Bruder Mask and the EyeBag from Thea.
A non-microwave mask option...
When to seek care?
There are many treatments for chalazion. In-Clinic and/or oral medication or even surgery may be necessary if the lumps do not clear. Speak to your eye care provider if you are not seeing resolution within 90 days or if there is discharge into the eye.
RELATED TOPICS: The Basics of Dry Eye, How to read an Omega 3 Label, Eye Lid Care / Blepharitis, What is the most potent Omega 3 we have found