Self Cooling Hydrogel Compresses

Eyelid hygiene is the first step in dry eye treatment and the foundation of overall eye health & wellness. Our Rescue™ hydrogel cold compresses work with Rise™ eyelid wipes and Rest™ self heating warm compresses to deliver a convenient, clean and effective eyelid hygiene routine. Dry eye disease (DED) can be frustrating and confusing, but the treatment doesn’t have to be. Our Rest™ self heating warm compresses, Rise™ eyelid wipes and Rescue™ hydrogel cold compresses provide an experience unlike anything else.

Our Rescue box comes with 6 individually packed hydrogel cold compresses, and are designed for use when you experience flare-ups. Many patients with DED experience flare-ups, which are sudden and significant worsening of symptoms. Sometimes these flare-ups can be triggered by environmental factors (low humidity, long digital screen time, air allergens, etc.), but often they can be random. During a flare-up, the patient’s eyes feel inflamed, and a warm compress may therefore be uncomfortable. A cold compress may provide the rapid relief needed during a flare-up.

We built Rescue with the patient in mind. When you’re experiencing a flare-up, the last thing you want to do is run to the freezer to grab ice, or a cold compress, wrap it in plastic or a towel and then put it on your eyes. By the time you finish preparing the typically cold compress, your symptoms have worsened significantly. Our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses can be used anywhere without the need for a freezer! So if you experience a flare-up, open a sachet and place the hydrogel mask over your eyes and let the cooling magic begin.

Our Rescue design uses strong, but mellow colors to provide the much-needed safety, comfort and strength needed during a flare-up. Moreover, we use a solid matte finish and hydrogel to maximize comfort and minimize stimulation, which helps patients not feel overwhelmed during a flare-up.

Rescue hydrogel cold compresses have five simple ingredients that work synergistically to moisturize, cool, soothe, heal, and reduce pain and inflammation. We don’t want a flare-up to ruin your day and prevent you from working or doing things you love. Our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses work to provide relief right away so you can get back to your life!

Rise™ eyelid wipes, Rest™ warm compresses and Rescue hydrogel masks provide a complete eyelid hygiene routine that’s convenient, clean and effective.

Dry eye disease and treatment

Dry eye disease (DED) is also known as dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and ocular surface disease.¹ The classic dry eye symptoms are blurry vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, gritty sensation, puffy eyes, stinging or burning, itchy eyes, watering and eye strain.

The causes of DED can be broken down into two main categories: aqueous deficient and evaporative. With aqueous deficient DED, your lacrimal glands don’t produce enough natural tears to lubricate the ocular surface (the cornea and conjunctiva). With evaporative DED, your body makes enough tears, but they undergo rapid evaporation. However, most patients typically have a combination of both aqueous deficient and evaporative, leading to tear film dysfunction.

DED can impact your overall eye health, while also impacting you physically, emotionally, socially and financially. Diagnosing DED early and starting treatment promptly can prevent long-term damage.

Dry eye treatment options include over-the-counter eye drops (lubricating artificial tears) and eyelid hygiene (warm compress and eyelid wipes). In addition to this, a treatment plan should also address nutrition (your diet), the environment and your lifestyle (work and social life). What is good for the eyes, should also benefit the mind and body.

What are dry eye flare-ups

Nearly 90% of patients with DED report having multiple flare-ups annually.² A dry eye flare-up is a sudden and significant worsening of dry eye symptoms. Flare-ups can happen randomly or be triggered by both indoor and outdoor conditions, such as screen time, low humidity, air allergens, pollution, wind, and cigarette smoke. Flare-ups can be debilitating and distressing for the patient. A dry eye flare-up is similar to a migraine attack: during a flare-up, you can’t function, you can become anxious or panicked, and you want immediate pain relief.

Why we developed Rescue™ hydrogel cold compresses

We developed Rescue to give patients an easy option to get immediate relief during a flare-up. When you’re experiencing a flare-up, the last thing you want to worry about is putting together a cold compress, which can take several minutes. You just want to close your eyes, sit and relax. Our Rescue hydrogel cold compress doesn’t get in the way of what you naturally want to do to calm yourself. Instead, our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses can be used anywhere without the need for a freezer! So if you experience a flare-up, open a sachet and place the eye mask over your eyes and let the cooling magic begin.

Cold compress can also add to your core eyelid hygiene routine. Eyelid hygiene is the foundation of dry eye treatment. Even if you don’t have dry eyes, eyelid hygiene is an excellent way to start taking care of your eyes, and preserving your eyesight.

A typical eyelid hygiene routine includes warm compresses and eyelid wipes daily, and cold compresses when needed. Eyelid hygiene helps treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), the most common causes of dry eyes. Taking care of your eyelids is the first step towards dry eye relief.³ 

Meibomian glands are located on your eyelid margin, and secrete oil which stabilizes your tear film. Meibomian glands can sometimes stop oil secretion, as in the case of MGD. The oil can build up in the oil glands, leading to styes (chalazion), or on the eyelid margin, leading to inflammation of the eyelids, known as posterior blepharitis. Anterior blepharitis, on the other hand, is caused by bacterial infections, mites (Demodex), and less commonly, by allergens and contact lens irritation. The classic symptoms of blepharitis include eyelash crusting, flaking or caking, eyelid redness and swelling, and itchy, irritated eyes. Chronic blepharitis can cause recurring conjunctivitis (pink eye or red eye), and corneal damage.

MGD and blepharitis treatment start with eyelid hygiene (warm eye compresses and eyelid wipes). The warm compress improves meibomian gland function, and promotes oil secretion. The eyelid wipes clear any debris from backed-up oil, fend off inflammation, and may have antimicrobial properties. Cold compresses can be used as needed to supplement your eyelid hygiene routine, especially during flare-ups.

A good eyelid hygiene regimen with warm compresses and eyelid wipes works in the majority of cases, if used consistently. If these don’t work, your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) may consider adding oral supplements (Omega 3 fatty acids), antibiotic ointment with steroids and oral antibiotics. If your healthcare provider suspects other coexisting conditions, such as, viral pink eye (viral conjunctivitis), allergic reaction (allergic conjunctivitis) bacterial pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis), they may consider adding antihistamine drops, starting oral allergy medications, antivirals, decongestants, and antibiotic eye drops, and anti-inflammatory drops.

We developed our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses, RestTM warm compresses and RiseTM eyelid wipes to not only treat MGD, blepharitis and flare-ups, but also to help you prioritize your eyecare. If you already have an eyelid hygiene routine, then use our treatment plans to take things to the next level. If you’re looking to get started on protecting your eyes and preserving your eyesight, then start with our eyelid wipes and hydrogel cold compresses. Your eyes deserve it and need it!

Warm compress and cold compress for eyes

Both warm compresses and cold compresses can be beneficial for the eyes. While warm compresses can directly address MGD and blepharitis, cold compresses can help mitigate the common flare-ups.⁴ A cool compress may also be useful for allergic reactions, allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, and any other conditions that may lead to eye inflammation.⁵ 

Most individuals have used a cold compress for non-eye conditions, such as ankle sprains, muscle soreness, back pain, and muscle spasms. However, the skin and muscles at these non-ocular affected areas are much thicker than the skin and muscles around the eye area. For example, ice packs or cold packs in a plastic bag, ice cubes, bag of ice, and cold water on a washcloth may be suitable first-aid for your ankle sprain, but not for the eyes. A cold compress for the eyes has to be made with gentler material, and deliver less intense, but long-lasting cold therapy. 

In addition to cold compresses, heat therapy (hot compress) can be a good way to relieve pain and promote healing by increasing blood circulation to the injured area. Similar to cold compresses, the skin and muscles at these non-ocular locations are much thicker than the skin and muscles around the eye area. For instance, using a heating pad, heat packs or hot packs and a hot water bottle may work for your back, but may be too coarse and hot for your eyes and eyelids. A warm compress for the eyes needs to be made with more delicate materials, and deliver a slow, but long-lasting heat therapy.

The currently available methods for doing a warm and cold compress are either not suitable for the eyes, require too much labor, need a microwave or freezer, and may not be hygienic. Using the same compress for your abdomen is likely not safe for your eyes. Home remedies for making a warm or cold compress require additional household items, time and effort, which could be tedious and tiring, especially at the end of the day or during a flare-up. Lastly, using a reusable pre-made compress mask or gel packs can build up debris and other pathogenic materials. 

For these reasons and more, we made Rescue to be convenient and hygienic. Just simply open one of our individual sachets, put the mask on your eyes, and let it work it’s self-cooling magic. After use, simply discard. No freezer, no hassle, no germs, just relief!

Expert tips on using Rescue™ hydrogel self cooling cold compresses

• While we suggest using our cold compresses during a flare-up, you can use them anytime during the day as needed.
• You can use a cleanser after removing the mask, but it’s not necessary!
• You can add an eyelid massage to our cold compress by gently applying pressure to your eyelids while wearing the eye mask.
• Lastly, these are meant to be used on your eyelids and lashes, so avoid touching your eyeball directly. If this does happen, don’t worry, our ingredients are widely used in and around the eye. But, we do recommend gently rinsing out your eye, and then monitoring for any eye symptoms, likely redness, pain or vision changes.

How Rescue™ hydrogel cold compresses fit into our system

Dry eyes can impact you physically, emotionally and financially, leaving you feeling neglected, frustrated and hopeless. At CorneaCare, our singular goal is for you to be heard, listened to, and in control of your dry eyes. This is why we’ve put together our system. Our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses eyelid wipes are backed by our experts, informed by our education and community portals, and supported by our app. Our system works in harmony to bring you joy, tranquility and lasting dry eye relief.

What’s in the Rescue™ hydrogel cold compresses?

We’ve carefully and methodically selected our ingredients to be safe and effective. Our Rescue hydrogel cold compresses are made with just five simple ingredients:

• Hydrogel: Our cooling masks contain plant-based hydrogel, which is a soft, elastic and porous material that can retain lots of water, allowing it to rapidly moisturize, soothe and promote healing.

• Natural plant extracts: We use plant extracts, like Cassia seeds, that contain natural analgesia and antioxidants, which work together to alleviate pain, discomfort and promote wound repair.

• Menthol: No need to freeze! Our synergistic combination of menthol, borneol and medlar cools the eyes, and stimulates natural tear production. This delivers immediate relief with sustained therapy.

• Borneol: Used for centuries worldwide, borneol is derived from plant species, including rosemary, valerian and sage. Borneol improves blood circulation, relieves pain and reduces inflammation.  
• Medlar: Native to Southeast Asia, Medlar is rich in nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. These enhance immune health and reduce oxidative injury.

Our pledge

We’re grateful that you’ve trusted us with your eyes, and we’ve channeled this trust into our responsibility and commitment to you. Our products are built with this sentiment, and adhere to our ethos of upholding your trust, protecting your eyes and preserving your health. You’ve trusted us with your eyes, and we take this privilege very seriously.