The Effects of Warm Compression on Eyelid Temperature and Lipid Layer Thickness of Tear Film

Abstract

Purpose: Warm compression using a commercial heat pad was used to evaluate the effects of temperature on the eyelids and tear film lipid layer thickness. Methods: Targeting 13 patients (26 eyes) with non-specific eye disease such as dry eye syndrome or Meibomian gland dysfunction, we measured the average thickness of the tear film lipid layer in both eyes with the LipiView 2 (R) System (Tearscience (R), Morrisville, NY, USA). We performed warm compression on the right eye only in order to evaluate the effectiveness of massage and measured the temperature of the right eye lid immediately, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes after compression in order to compare with the untreated left eye. After warm compression for 5 minutes, we measured tear film lipid layer thickness of both eyes and analyzed the effectiveness of warm compression. Results: The average tear film lipid layer thickness was 55.1 +/- 21.0 nm in the right eyes and 53.9 +/- 13.9 nm in the left eyes (p = 0.474). Before performing the warm compression, the temperature of the right eye lid was 53.9 +/- 13.9 nm, and that of the left was 35.9 +/- 0.2 degrees C. The eye lid temperature of the right eye immediately, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes after warm compression was 40.3 +/- 1.3 degrees C, 40.3 +/- 1.3 degrees C, and 40.3 +/- 1.9 degrees C, respectively, and these temperatures were relatively constant during the massage. Tear film lipid layer thickness after warm compression in the right eye was 83.5 +/- 18.8 nm, which was increased compared to the original temperature (p = 0.001) and showed significant difference compared with the 65.5 +/- 27.1 nm in the left eye (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Warm compression increased the tear film lipid layer thickness and showed a relatively constant increased temperature of 40.3 degrees C over 5 minutes. This technique will be helpful for maintaining tear film lipid layer thickness in patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction.