Optimum Eye Lid Care
By
Shelley I. Cutler, OD, FAAO
Introduction
The eyelids have several glands within them. It is important that they function properly in order for your tears to do their job…to wet your eye.
The majority of these glands are called the Meibomian glands. There are about 25 openings to the upper lid and about 20 to the lower lid. If you look carefully at your eye margins, you may see the little holes or openings.
If these glands get clogged or do not function properly, you may experience burning, stinging or even watering of your eyes.
The sebum (the fluid secreted from the Meibomian glands) should be the consistency of vegetable oil. If it thickens, it becomes more like margarine and cannot exit the glands properly and you may have some or all of the above complaints.
The following is a very simple, but effective way to allow your Meibomian glands to function properly.
Warm Compresses and Lid Massage
By placing moist heat over the eyes, this allows any hardened gland material to begin to soften. (Just as if you were melting butter.) A Bruder mask is excellent. (Follow the product instructions)
An alternative (although not as effective) is to use warm compresses. The ideal procedure is LipiFlow or IPL. (This will be recommended, by your doctor, if needed).
Instructions for Warm Compresses:
Place a clean washcloth under the spigot and wet with warm water. The warmer, the better, but make sure it’s not too hot to be uncomfortable. Close your eyes and hold over the eyelids. Keep replacing under warm water to restore heat.
Hold against the eyelids for several minutes: (2-5 minutes) the longer, the better.
Open your eyes and gently rub around the eyelids in a circular manner, pressing towards the Meibomian gland openings as if to press some gland fluid out. Try not to press too hard on the eyeball itself.
Lid Hygiene
After performing warm compresses and massage, take a damp Q-tip (initially wet it under the tap and squeeze out the excess water in between your fingers), place 1-2 drops of the recommended eyelid cleanser on it and again squeeze out any excess in between your fingers. The idea is to NOT the product dripping off the Q-tip but a dilute version on it.
Recommended Eyelid Product: __ (Your eye doc will tell you)
DO THIS GENTLY! You do not want to rub the skin raw. (Think petting a dog or cat on the head). You just want to introduce the product there to clean any of the excess sebum that may be remaining from the massage.
Place the Q-tip on your lower lid margin where the eyelashes come out and stroke it back and forth lightly (2-3 times) over the Meibomian gland openings. (Ladies, this is as if you are applying eyeliner to above the eyelashes, not below). Clean on the underside of the lashes as well.
On the upper lids, close the eye and rub above the lashes. 
If you attempt under the lashes to get the upper lid gland openings, there is a good possibility that you may poke yourself in the eye.
Afterwards, rinse well with water.
Then flush the eye with preservative-free artificial tears. (Theses will be the little ampules)
Recommended tears: __(Your eye doc will tell you)
Add this simple, but effective, routine at the same time you wash your face and brush your teeth and you should start experiencing more comfortable lens wear.
Initially do twice a day, morning and evening with all make-up removed. As symptoms disappear, it can be done in the evening only.