Warm Compress and Eyelid Hygiene Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Warm Compress 1. A warm object such as a hardboiled egg or a micro-waved potato wrapped in a clean wash cloth can be used for the warm compress. 2. Test the temperature of the object on the back of your hand before applying to the eyelid. 3. Do NOT apply if you find the object to be too hot for your skin. 4. Take care not to burn your skin – do not over heat the object. 5. Keep your eyes closed and then apply the warm object to the affected eyelid(s) for 15 minutes, doing the same procedure 2-3 times a day. 6. The warm compress aims to loosen any material stuck to your eyelashes and softens the oil gland secretions to allow better flow.
Eyelid Hygiene 1. After the warm compress, keep the eye closed and remove debris by gently scrubbing the eyelid margin targeting especially at the base of the lashes. 2. Clean off the debris with a moist Q-tip, cotton wool ball, wash cloth, or a pre-moistened eye scrub pad (available at most pharmacies). 3. To clean the lower eyelid, look up then clean the eyelid margin using a side-to-side motion to loosen the debris at the lashes. 4. To clean the upper eyelid, look down and repeat the same procedure. 5. Complete the cleaning process by a smooth sweeping motion in one direction to remove all debris.