A warm compress for dry eyes can help relieve symptoms and make you feel more comfortable, although it cannot always fully treat the cause.

When you develop dry eye and tears aren’t lubricating your eyes as usual, it can become an uncomfortable experience if you have symptoms that might include irritation, itching, redness, or swollen eyes.

One possible way to treat some of these symptoms and ease dry eye is by using a warm compress, either one you’ve bought or made yourself.

A warm compress helps reduce dry eye symptoms by:

  • loosening or unclogging oil glands that produce meibum, a fatty compound that coats the healthy tear film to delay evaporation
  • bringing moisture from steam and liquid to the eyeball and eye area to help you produce tears
  • reducing eye twitching from muscle spasms that result from extremely dry eyes
  • relieving pain and reducing swelling by increasing blood flow to the eyes and surrounding tissues, especially if you have blood vessel issues that affect tear production

How do you recognize dry eye?

Some common symptoms you might notice if you’re experiencing drye eye include:

Dry eye syndrome can have many causes — from allergies and dry air to aging or medical conditions that can affect your body’s ability to produce tears.

Warm compresses are usually effective for dry eyes.

Warmth opens up blood vessels and increases blood flow to help relieve eye pain and swelling. Warmth and moisture can also loosen up constricted or clogged oil glands.

This helps increase your production of meibum, a fatty compound that helps your tears lubricate your eyes more effectively.

A small 2021 study also suggested that warmth helps stimulate meibum production in people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which results from inflammation or damage in the eyelids and eye tissues. It can cause recurring dry eyes that also increase the risk of further inflammation or damage.

Cold compresses are effective for acute eye pain or injuries by reducing swelling and decreasing blood flow to cuts.

However, cold compresses can have other effects, including reducing oil and tear production and contributing to dry eye symptoms.

Here’s what you’ll need to make a warm compress at home:

  • a clean bowl or container to hold warm water
  • one to two clean washcloths or small towels
  • a plastic bag that you can zip or seal shut
  • a microwave
  • 5 to 10 minutes of time to close your eyes
  • resoak as often as needed to maintain heat for 5 to 10 minutes each time

Now, here’s one way to quickly make a warm compress:

  1. Fill the bowl or container with warm water that’s not too hot to the touch.
  2. Dip the washcloth or towel into the warm water until it’s soaked through.
  3. Lift the washcloth out of the water and wring out excess water.
  4. Fold the washcloth in half or until it’s a size that will cover both eyes.

Depending on your materials, you can also try this method:

  1. Moisten the washcloths or towels using cold water.
  2. Put one of the washcloths in the plastic bag, but don’t seal the bag yet.
  3. Put the washcloth and bag into the microwave for about 2 minutes.
  4. Take the washcloth out of the microwave and seal it immediately. Be careful not to burn or scald yourself.
  5. Wrap the second moist washcloth around the sealed bag.
  6. An alternative to water may be to place. hot potato or rice in the wash cloth so that it stays hot for longer.

Here’s how to use your warm compress:

  1. Sit back or lie down so that the washcloth will stay in place.
  2. Close your eyes.
  3. Lay the washcloth over both eyes so that you cover the entire area around each eye.
  4. Let the washcloth sit on your eyes for 10 minutes or until it’s not warm anymore.

Tips for using a warm compress

  • Use clean washcloths or towels that you do not use for other purposes, such as dusting or cleaning with chemicals.
  • Don’t use water that’s boiling or too hot.
  • Before applying, place the warm compress on the underside of your forearm to confirm that it’s not too hot.
  • Use a new cloth and fresh, clean water each time you make a compress.
  • Don’t leave the cloth on your eyes for more than 10 minutes at a time.

It’s safe to use a warm compress multiple times daily to treat dry eye and relieve symptoms.

However, using a warm compress too frequently can dry out the skin around the eyes or cause irritation. Using a warm compress as needed, 2 to 3 times daily, is usually enough to relieve symptoms.

When to seek medical attention

Contact a doctor if warm compresses do not help you relieve dry eyes or if you notice any of the following:

  • symptoms getting worse or not improving
  • persistent burning or stinging even when using home remedies
  • blurry vision even if you wear glasses
  • eyes feeling dry even after using eye drops
  • severe eye dryness that interferes with daily activities
  • headaches or migraine episodes that happen along with dry eyes

Warm compresses can relieve discomfort caused by dry eyes. They’re easy to make and can be used multiple times a day.

Consider medical care if warm compresses or other home remedies do not help you relieve dry eyes, or if you notice other symptoms along with persistent dry eyes.