An Overview

Your eyelids work hard. They blink thousands of times a day, spreading tears across the eye and protecting it from light, dust and injury. Along each lid edge sit rows of tiny oil glands that keep your tears from evaporating too quickly.

When those glands become blocked, or the lid edges become inflamed, eyes can feel dry, gritty and sore. Conditions like blepharitis are very common and often long-term, but they usually respond well to a simple routine done consistently.

This guide walks through that routine step by step:

• Warm
• Massage
• Clean

Step 1: Warm

Warmth softens the oils in the lid glands so they can flow more freely.

• Soak a clean flannel in warm (not hot) water, wring it out and place it over closed eyes. A reusable heated eye mask works well too and holds its temperature for longer.
• Keep it in place for 5–10 minutes, rewarming the flannel if it cools.
• Always test the temperature on the inside of your wrist first. The skin of the eyelids is thin and burns easily.

Step 2: Massage

Straight after warming, gently massage the lids to help release the softened oils.

• With your eyes closed, place a clean fingertip on the upper lid, close to the lashes.
• Roll gently downwards towards the lash line, working from the inner corner to the outer corner.
• For the lower lid, roll gently upwards towards the lashes.
• Use light pressure. It should feel comfortable, never painful.

Warm, massage, clean. A few minutes a day, every day.

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Step 3: Clean

Finally, clean along the lash line to remove oil, crusting and debris.

• Use a clean cotton pad or cloth dampened with cooled boiled water, or a lid wipe or cleanser made for the eyes.
• Wipe gently along the base of the lashes on both upper and lower lids.
• Use a fresh pad for each eye.

How often, and for how long

For general lid health, once a day is usually enough. During a flare-up, twice a day can help. Improvement often takes a few weeks, so stick with it even if you don't notice a difference straight away. Lid problems tend to return when the routine stops, so many people keep it up as part of their daily care, much like brushing their teeth.

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If you get a stye

A stye is a tender red lump on the edge of the lid, caused by a blocked or infected gland or lash follicle. Warm compresses several times a day usually help it settle within a week or two. Don't squeeze or pop it, and avoid eye make-up and contact lenses until it has cleared.

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Helpful habits

• Remove eye make-up fully every night.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes or lids.
• Change pillowcases and face towels regularly.

When to get advice

See an optometrist or pharmacist if symptoms don't improve after a few weeks of regular lid care, or if a lump doesn't go away. Seek urgent help if swelling or redness spreads around the eye or face, if the eye becomes very painful, or if your vision is affected.

This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from an optometrist or doctor.

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