New product (UK)?: Blephasteam goggles



I can't remember if I first saw this on the Google news email or on Dry Eye Talk. It sounds (and certainly looks) interesting.

Two things I don't get:

1) How you can "watch TV" while wearing these... how do they NOT fog up, even if they aren't creating steam through the heat mechanism? Even my expensive foam-lined sunglasses will fog up in the car.

and

2) Other than the feelgood factor, how do they help? Heat is usually associated with MGD treatment... where to be effective heat needs to be applied to the MGs. Personally I wouldn't expect warm air around my eyes to do much of anything for my MGD. On the other hand, when you've got dry eye, the feelgood factor is worth plenty in its own right, if you can afford it.


Daily Mail article
A lack of lubrication in the eye is a common and unpleasant condition. Around 20 per cent of the population over the age of 65 suffers from dry eye, as it is known.
The condition, where you don't produce enough lubricating tears, is age-related. It often affects menopausal women because of the reduced levels of the hormone which helps produce lubrication.
'We prescribe drops to treat it, but the eye is sensitive - drops are chemicals and people can react to them,' explains consultant ophthalmologist Dr Rob Fuller of The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
The other option is to use a hot compress over the eyes. Tears are formed of three layers, one of which is oily. Like all oily substances, when heated, this layer melts, creating better lubrication, says Dr Fuller.
'But using a hot compress is not high-tech and not very convenient. During this time, patients can't see or move about and they have to keep refreshing the towel. I felt in the 21st century there was room for something a bit more user friendly.'
So Dr Fuller developed eye-warming goggles that can be plugged in and used while watching TV or reading. They use the power of moist warm air to warm up the eyes.
The goggles gently warm the eye to a temperature of 40c - warm enough to increase lubrication, but not so hot that they create steam