Question about warm compresses, FML drops, and doxycycline -any input is appreciated!

[eyes78]

Lately my eyes have been feeling absolutely fine; however, when I express the meibomian glands in front of a 15x magnifying mirror, I can see many little toothpaste like secretions. I know this is not healthy, so I tried a new Dr - a corneal specialist.

He saw "lots of inflammation", prescribed FML drops 4x/day for 1 week and 2x/day for 7 weeks. Also doxycycline 50mg 2x/day indefinitely (I think he plans to reduce this to 1x/day after 8 weeks). He also really pushed the warm compresses.

But here's the thing - in the past few years, when I've been having symptoms of my MGD, and I've done warm compresses, my eyes get WORSE. For DAYS. Every. Single. Time. I made sure the compresses weren't too hot (104 degrees), but every time I did them I regretted it.

But this doctor thinks they are REALLY important. So I wanted to ask you all - do you think that maybe in the past, my inflammation has been so bad that the warm compresses just kind of inflame the glands more and close them off for a couple days?

Do you think that maybe this time around, with the doxy and the FML, if I can get the inflammation under control, that the warm compresses will then be allowed to do their job?

Also, do you think the doxy will be enough to control the inflammation after I discontinue the FML drops?

Thanks so much.

[savino]

..........

[eyes78]

Thank you savino, for your input. Would you mind, if you have it, giving me the link? I did find a video but it was 1.5 hrs long and I don't think he discussed compresses other than Lipiflow.

[duckman]

Hi there

i am defo no expert, but I find the warm compress is a hard thing to master, i dont know about others but even when my eyes are red i still do warm compresses to make sure the oil gets moving in my eyes, i try not to do it for too long.

I usually get some relief from doing this i dont use a warm flannel or anything i use a facial steamer the warm flannel and eyebags just were harder to use for me, however I find that if the warm compress is too hot it causes alsorts of problems, that will give you confusing results about whats going on with your eyes.

If you do it try it really luke warm at first so you know for certain its not going to be burning the skin around your eyes, as i dont think it actually has to be that warm, i think its kinda different for everyone on how you do it.

I too express my gland a little sometimes i am tryign to cut back on this as i know its not healthy too.

J