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Meibomian glands are oil glands inside the top and bottom eyelids and research has identified MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction) as being a leading cause of dry eye symptoms. It has been reported that over 86% of people with dry eye symptoms have some form of MGD. For people with MGD, the glands become inflamed/damaged, which can cause oil secretions to turn from an olive oil consistency to that of butter or thicker. This in turn clogs the glands and sets off a cycle of irritation, inflammation and possibly infection, that is difficult to treat due to the eye’s sensitive nature.
Although warm compresses are constantly recommended by eye doctors to help treat this disease by melting/softening these oils, I thought the current methods/products could be substantially improved for a number of reasons. Everyday use products like microwave compresses burned my eyelids when they were too hot and didn’t stay hot long enough. Similar for electric warming pads, you had to keep your eyes closed for the whole session, which I felt was huge waste of time when doing 1-2 times daily. They also put unnecessary pressure on your heated cornea. The industry standard office treatment Lipiflow actually massages the eyes' oil glands as they are being heated to help remove the stagnant oils through the oil gland opening. I think this could work great if you could use it everyday, but at ~500-$1000 per session, it is not a solution for many people with severe cases of chronic conditions like MGD and Blepharitis. With those concerns in mind, I started designing something with the aim of replicating something like Lipiflow that combined heat and oil gland massage (Steamgoggle uses blinking during treatment) to better remove oil gland blockages, but that could be used on a continuous basis as needed. All while being able to multitask while using the device.
The Steamgoggle differs from other products/treatments on the market as it combines moist heat with blinking, which helps remove blockage (stagnant oils) through the oil gland openings during treatment (see our FAQ page ()to learn how our patented used of PTC heaters safely allows for highly concentrated and consistent moist heat). Additionally, the user can multitask when using, (read/look at phone) and can use it anywhere, anytime, and for as long you want via the included power bank with over 15 treatment cycles per charge (versus paying for expensive one time office treatments such as IPL or Lipiflow). Lastly, the device is very easy to setup (simply add water to each eyecup and press power button) and clean (place entire goggle under faucet to rinse).
The SteamGoggle was not created in a large corporation lab, adding/removing features depending the potential of each to increase return on investment. It was created by someone who has lived through and knows the intricacies of the disease themselves, who just wanted something that works to make their eyes feel better. Learn more about the inventor's story here. (https://www.steamgoggle.com/about)
The SteamGoggle and the Blephasteam devices are similar in the fact that they both provide moist heat to the eyes, while allowing the user to still use their eyes to read/look at their phone. There are two versions of Blephasteam, but since the first version is no longer available to purchase, the SteamGoggle will be compared to the Blephasteam 2. The differences stated below are based on the inventor's personal experience with Blephasteam 2, which was purchased new, prior to development of the SteamGoggle.
SteamGoggle Pros:
1. MOIST HEAT LEVEL: The SteamGoggle is able to provide a more concentrated moist heat to the eyes due to the smaller air volume of the individual eyecups (think swim goggles versus Blephasteam's swim mask) and the SteamGoggle's patented use of advanced ceramic PTC heaters.
2. ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE: The SteamGoggle is temperature adjustable to suit an individual's moist heat preference by adding more (warmer) or less (cooler) water to the plastic lattice prior to treatment or by positioning the head downward (warmer) or looking straight ahead (cooler). The Blephasteam does not have any temperature adjustment for individual preferences.
3. ADJUSTABLE TREATMENT TIME: The SteamGoggle's included powerbank can power the device for over 15 treatment cycles. Additionally, if desired, the 8.5 minute treatment time can easily be extended by refilling the plastic water lattice and restarting the heating cycle. The Blephasteam needs to be charged before each use and its treatment time is limited to one 10 minute cycle with a 90 minute recharge in between each cycle.
4. SHORT WARMUP TIME: The SteamGoggle has a warmup time of 1 minute 30 seconds, versus Blephasteam's approximate 4 minute warmup time.
5. EASY SETUP: There are no extra pieces to worry about when setting up the SteamGoggle, just the device and the powerbank. With Blephasteam, there is a separate water tray that needs to be filled each session, a removable water carrier that is taken in and out of the goggle and the whole device needs to be placed on and off of a base charging station (that is plugged into the wall) each cycle.
6. PORTABLE: The SteamGoggle can be easily traveled with (via the mesh carrying bag and included travel water bottle) and used anywhere/anytime as long as there is at least a partial charge on the powerbank. To start, the Blephasteam requires at at least a table and wallplug as it's required to be charged on the power base station (which needs to be plugged into the wall) prior to each use. Additionally, a water tray needs to be filled each cycle in order to submerge the water carrier, which then needs to be inserted into the device for each session.
7. EASILY CLEANED: The whole SteamGoggle goggle assembly is waterproof and easily washable if needed under the sink faucet. For the Blephasteam, only the water carrier and water tray are washable with soap and water. The main Blephasteam goggle assembly is only recommended to be cleaned with an included cleaning cloth to prevent electronics damage.
8. PRICE: The SteamGoggle is priced at $249.99, while the Blephasteam 2 is priced at about $399.99.
SteamGoggle Cons:
1. PLUGS INTO POWERBANK: The SteamGoggle must be plugged into the included powerbank for the entirety of the treatment session, while Blephasteam has batteries included in the headset itself.
2. HARDER TO EAT: The SteamGoggle power cable drops in front of the face making it harder to eat during use, versus the Blephasteam where there there are no cables coming from the mask.
3. SMALLER FIELD OF VIEW: The SteamGoggle's goggle type design has a smaller field of view during use than the Blephasteam's mask type design.
How do I control the treatment temperature?
The Steamgoggle is unique because it employs the use of innovative PTC heater technology, which allows the device to heat up fast and precisely using its embedded safety features . The ceramic PTC heater works by heating up to a set temperature defined during its manufacture and cannot overheat due to its construction. This allows the device to create a constant, effective supply of moist heat without time constraints common with microwaveable and hot compresses. The internal temperature felt inside of each eyecup is adjustable by adding water to the plastic lattice grooves (or squares) inside each eyecup. Performing a treatment with no water will give a cooler temperature, while a full lattice will give a warmer temperature. Additionally, the position of the head will affect the treatment temperature. Looking straight ahead will give a cooler temperature while looking downward will give a warmer temperature. This moist heat combined with the blinking motion, produces a continuous massaging effect, whereas, any melted/loosened meibum can be pushed out of the gland openings.
Per current literature, temperatures of about 45-50 degrees celcius (typical in gym/spa type steamrooms) may be effective at liquefying solidified oils, which assists in the unclogging of the eyes' oil glands. The Steamgoggle allows for pinpointed moist heat application directly to the eyes at temperatures that would be difficult to subject the entire body to for any extended length of time, such as in a typical steamroom. After adding water to each eyecup and starting a treatment cycle, Steamgoggle users will experience a gradual increase in moist heat temperature to about 50-55 degrees celcius, depending on head position. Going higher than this may potentially irritate the delicate tissues of the eyes and cause excessive redness or exacerbate symptoms. Going much lower than this may not serve any benefit as the oils will remain solidified leaving the eyes' meibomian glands clogged.
Why not just a few dfferent heat settings?
The special PTC heaters that allow this device to safely and consistently create enough moist heat to fill each eyecup, can only heat up to one temperature, so adjusting water content becomes necessary to adjust to each person's individual heat preference.
Our device is unique in that it uses PTC heaters (w/ built in safety features), which safely creates a moist heat environment to a maximum of 50-55c in each eyecup. The great thing is that the temperature is easily adjustable, as each person has different heat tolerances. Some prefer it warmer and some can only tolerate lower temperatures (this can be due to a number of factors such as ocular rosacea, sensitive skin, etc) Warmer temperatures typically work better in unclogging the oil glands, but may be more irritating, so each person has to find their own temperature balance. We have found that moist heat temperatures higher than 50-55c have generally shown to cause more eye irritation than benefit.
We feel that the much repeated industry mantra “45c maximum temp” is slightly subjective and may vary based on a number of factors such as what is actually touching your eye (physical object such as warm compress vs air). Keep in mind that most gym type saunas can get up to 90c. Almost any physical object placed on your eye at that temperature would most definitely cause burns. The SteamGoggle’s open cavity allows for a slightly elevated maximum treatment temperature in the form of moist heat.
Also related to temperature, a growing concern with standard warm compresses is the long term effect repeated use/pressure has on the eye’s heated cornea (as it can be more malleable at higher temperatures). The constant pressure applied by these masks can actually temporarily deform the cornea as evidenced by blurry vision after the treatment. The SteamGoggle eliminates this concern as its open cavity eliminates any additional applied pressure.
Note that treatment temperature can be affected by filling more or less plastic grooves (or squares) with water. Filling them all will give the maximum temperature, while filling none with give the lowest.
Water can be added to the plastic grooves (or squares) inside each eyecup by using the included plastic water bottle or by pouring water into each eyecup from a faucet or other water source. Be sure to turn the goggle over and lightly tap it to remove excess water prior to use. The water that has wicked into the squares will stay put due to surface tension.
Tip: Sometimes the water may not initially wick into and fill each square. If you quickly and lightly rub the outside surface of the squares with the tip of the waterbottle or a clean finger (after adding water
The general goal is to fill them all with water if you can, as higher moist heat temps are gonna work better at loosening and then expelling any thickened oils/debris from the oil glands during forced blinks … However, some people’s eyelids may be more sensitive (i.e. those with ocular rosacea) and may need to start lower and work their way up as their eyes start to adjust….
When starting out, we recommend to begin by only filling a few squares with water (with the tip of the water bottle) and working your way up as your eyes acclimate to the moist heat. Everyone is different; Some enjoy the maximum heat level (all squares full of water) their first time and some need to slowly work their way up.
Note that treatment temperature can be affected by filling more or less plastic grooves (or squares) with water. Filling them all will give the maximum temperature, while filling none with give the lowest.
Water can be added to the plastic grooves (or squares) inside each eyecup by using the included plastic water bottle or by pouring water into each eyecup from a faucet or other water source. Be sure to turn the goggle over and lightly tap it to remove excess water prior to use. The water that has wicked into the squares will stay put due to surface tension.
Tip: Sometimes the water may not initially wick into and fill each square. If you quickly and lightly rub the outside surface of the squares with the tip of the waterbottle or a clean finger (after adding water) it will help push and lock the water into the squares.
To ease placing the drops in, from customer feedback, we recommend actually holding the tip of the water bottle against the squares and slowly squeeze out a few drops of water, so it gets pushed into a few of the squares. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should (fairly quickly) get you to a temperature level you are comfortable with.
Alternatively, some people just count the drops that come out of the water bottle and drop them on top of the squares. If you place a couple drops and then slide the tip of the water bottle across the surface of the squares, that helps push the water into the squares so it is locked in.
Adding the water to the goggle should be a fairly quick process, but may take some initial trial and error to get used to (As this temperature adjustment process is different than any other device).
The Steamgoggle is different from other devices in that treatment temperature is adjusted by how much water you add to the squares in each eyecup. Less water = less heat and more water = more heat.
When starting out, we recommend to begin by only filling a few squares with water (with the tip of the water bottle) and working your way up as your eyes acclimate to the moist heat. Everyone is different; Some enjoy the maximum heat level (all squares full of water) their first time and some need to slowly work their way up.
If just a few squares is still uncomfortable for you, try the steps below to help find a comfortable heat level to start with... (Some people (like those with ocular rosacea) may be more sensitive to moist heat)
1. For the lowest achieveable heat level, perform the treatment with no water in the goggle or on your eyes. Make sure there is no water in the grooves by running a complete heating cycle first to make sure all water has evaporated from the grooves. Some may feel no heat, while others may feel a slight amount of warmth.
2. For the second lowest heat level, rub some water on your eyes and try the treatment again (with the goggle still completely dry).
3. After this, try filling only one square in each goggle eyecup with water by using the tip of the water bottle and trying the treatment again.
What do you feel during each of these treatments variations? Contact us by phone or email with any comments or questions.
Water: Per our instruction sheet, we recommend using purified water. However, to be more specific, in general, any clean drinking water can be used with the device. The inventor personally uses tap water when using the device as the water in his area is government regulated and regularly tested to a "drinkable" water standard. That being said, this is a personal choice and we are cautious about generally recommending tap water as "tap" can mean very different things in different areas. Even though drinking water should generally be acceptable for most, the absolute safest option and giving the least risk of any reaction is distilled water, (which can be cheaply purchased at your local supermarket) as it is boiled to remove impurities like minerals, salts, bacteria, or any other chemicals. Whether choosing tap, filtered, deionized, distilled, bottled, etc, the choice is ultimately a personal decision as long as it is of a drinkable water quality.
Note: Blephasteam is similar and specifies clean drinking water to be used with their device.
Also note that some customers have enquired about if a sterile saline solution can be used instead of water in the device. While we can't speak to the topic of saline being more or less effective than water, we can say it is perfectly acceptable to use with the device if desired. Just note that the saline may leave a visible salt residue in the water lattice after use. This can be cleaned out as necessary with a soft brush under the faucet.
Cleanser: We only specify that a mild cleanser is to be used and suggest baby soap as an option as it is cheap, easy to find, is generally well tolerated, and has been recommended by eye doctors for years. We understand that some doctors have recently been shifting away from baby soap (due to some of its ingredients) to specifically designed eye cleansers. However, until the jury is out, I find myself having some initial skepticism about a sudden push from a tried and true (cheaper) cleanser to more recent and expensive eye cleanser products. Regardless, the most important part is to keep the eyes clean after using the device and we fully support using what works for you to achieve that goal.
For reference, click on this Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/Johnsons-Baby-Tear-Free-Delicate-Phthalate/dp/B07DGKWFJM/ref=sr_1_36?crid=3FNLU05543CVI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2zMDe1MLI1Vwa_DTApFi3e6EqSy0-g80-t08EWmnhhkoFOmEGdi4ELezt0zMwJUA9oRv2oGg3vuU17kvT7Mx1BKBrLOEKWXsIn2bjeo0AaDQWtehUreC7iFSrbgKOv2kc0bW0ThsJQ8VmNqR_PRLwwsgNDGpU6vtspAEISOu3pyeCtAN1oblKhzBcy85rwtclIRK_yMfxAkGtprHRc2l0qCFIlU3yefroiTXovaO0mRzLkKo0IpNjQNVOpzwDiXQRWJ09gVs1icKNOLXk4uvo76lnrMfPaZ7lXfoqH-YuVo.uqOpl4Ri-uvgBpZBZ1Lg_gnlZ0vfQ3oJ0MP9I8eWYjU&dib_tag=se&keywords=baby%2Bsoap&qid=1750798090&sprefix=baby%2Bsoa%2Caps%2C319&sr=8-36&th=1)to see the Johnson and Johnson baby soap used by the inventor.
The SteamGoggle device requires 12v of DC power to function properly. Lower voltages than 12v may cause the device to not turn on at all (red light does not stay on after being pressed).
[INCLUDED POWERBANK]--The device includes a 10,000mAh fast charging (22.5w) Lithium Polymer powerbank. The SteamGoggle plugs into the powerbank's USB-C port (on the top middle section of device) and must be plugged in continuously for the device to function.
[POWERBANK CHARGING]--The powerbank may be charged with any 5v or 12v DC USB power source either through its USB-C port (top center of device), or its USB- micro port on the upper left section of device (we include a USB-C charging cable). When charging, the second digit on the display screen will slowly blink and increase over time. Note: When charging for the powerbank for the first few times it may take a bit longer than normal to reach a full 100% charge. This is normal as the powerbank is intializing/calibrating itself to reach a full charge for the first time. If this happens, just leave the powerbank on the charger overnight (or until it reaches 100%) and then continue to use the device as normal. If device continues to charge slower than expected, try switching charge cables or the USB plug to rule out issues with these components.
Note that the powerbank can be used for other functions such as charging your phone or other devices. The powerbank has a USB-C port and two USB-A ports (standard old style rectangular USB port) on the top that can be used to charge any device that accepts 5-12v of DC power.
[OTHER POWERBANKS]--Also note that not all powerbanks are created equal and others may or may not work with the SteamGoggle device. The device may not turn on at all (red light does not stay on after being pressed) or the device may take much longer to heat up. If you would like to purchase an extra powerbank please contact us, or use this Amazon powerbank (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F22F8B42?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1)that we have certified for use with the device.
USB-C Wall Adapter: The device will also work with and can be plugged into standard 12volt USB-C wall adapters. The majority of 12volt USB-C wall adapters that we tested from Amazon and Best Buy have worked properly with the device, although we cannot guarantee that it will work with everything out there. Please note that the device will not work with 5volt USB-C ports (must be 12volt) which are the majority of current laptop USB-C output ports. To test compatibility, plug the device into the port and push power button. If the device beeps when plugged in and the red power light stays on after pressing power switch, then the device should work as intended.
USB-C PD: For those interested, the device actually uses a special type of USB-C connection called USB-C PD, which stands for power delivery. This is an advanced version of USB-C, which allows for higher power output (i.e. faster charging) and the ability to quickly adapt to different power requirements for different devices. This safer and more advanced power regulation ability allows the powerbank to seamlessly interface with the SteamGoggle's PTC heaters to heat up quickly and maintain a consistent temperature profile.
Per current literature (see sources below), hot compress temperatures of at least 40-45 degrees celcius may be effective at liquefying solidified meibomian gland oils, which assists in the unclogging of these oil glands. However, typical gym type steamroom temperatures can reach at least 50c, showing that higher temperatures can be tolerated by the eyes when applied in the form of moist, heated air as opposed to a hot towel or liquid water.
The Steamgoggle provides pinpointed moist heat (water vapor) application directly to the eyes at temperatures that would be difficult to subject the entire body to for any extended length of time, such as in a typical steamroom (45-50c, see sources below). After adding water to each eyecup and starting a treatment cycle, Steamgoggle users will experience a gradual increase in moist heat temperature to about 50-55 degrees celcius, depending on head position. This sustained high concentration of moist heat along with the eyes own blinking motion, allow the device to provide a more effective dry eye treatment compared to direct pressure heating methods such as microwave or usb powered warm compresses. The Steamgoggle can provide this elevated moist heat treatment due to the use of innovative PTC ceramic heaters, which heat up accurately, quickly and with unrivaled safety features.
See below for recommended temperatures for steamrooms:
1. https://www.verywellfit.com/sauna-vs-steam-room-which-is-better-4163009 (https://www.verywellfit.com/sauna-vs-steam-room-which-is-better-4163009) (120f/49c)
2. https://www.architecturelab.net/house/room/steam-room/ (https://www.architecturelab.net/house/room/steam-room/) (122f/50c)
3.https://steam-sauna.com/blog/what-is-the-best-temperature-for-a-steam-shower-steam-room-infrared-sauna-and-more.html (https://steam-sauna.com/blog/what-is-the-best-temperature-for-a-steam-shower-steam-room-infrared-sauna-and-more.html) 115f/46c
4.https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/sauna-temperature (https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/sauna-temperature)(120f/49c)
See below for recommended temperatures from various studies/articles for direct pressure method hot compresses to treat dry eye:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6529265/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6529265/) (40-41.5c)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dry-eye-compress#Are-they-effective? (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dry-eye-compress#Are-they-effective?)(45c)
Blephasteam 2 Treatment Temperature (https://www.butterflies-healthcare.co.uk/portfolio/blephasteam/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20temperature%20reached%20by%20BLEPHASTEAM%C2%AE%3FThe%20safety,moist%20heat%2C%20delivering%20a%20temperature%20of%20approximatively%2042.5%C2%B0C.)(42.5c)
Tearcare Treatment Temperature (https://tearcare.com/sight-sciences-receives-fda-510k-clearance-of-the-tearcare-system-for-treatment-of-meibomian-gland-dysfunction-mgd-the-leading-cause-of-dry-eye-disease/) (45c)
Lipiflow Treatment Temperature (https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib29/chapter/technology-overview)(42.5c)
Dry Eye Institute Recommendation (https://www.dryeyeinstitute.com.au/news/general/stop-wasting-your-time-with-hot-compresses#:~:text=While%20this%20is%20the%20most,as%20part%20of%20their%20routine.) (40-45c)
https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Abstract/2015/09000/All_Warm_Compresses_Are_Not_Equally_Efficacious.29.aspx (https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Abstract/2015/09000/All_Warm_Compresses_Are_Not_Equally_Efficacious.29.aspx) (40-45c)
The SteamGoggle uses PTC electric heaters to transform water into a moist heat or water vapor that assists in unclogging the eyes’ oil glands. To do this, the water inside of each eyecups’ plastic lattice is heated to a maximum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit (or 60 degrees celcius), which is also the standard water heater temperature of the typical American household. This temperature is selected for water heaters due to its ability to kill bacteria as well as its ability to be used safely in the home. This is because it takes at least 5 seconds of continuous exposure to water at 140f (see sources below) to cause scalding to the skin, which is generally enough time to remove the skin from the hot water before damage occurs.
The Steamgoggle heats water to a maximum temperature of 140f (60c), which is kept away from the users face inside the plastic lattice inside each eyecup. It is important that as defined in the instructions, that the user must empty each eyecup of excess water prior to treatment and must not look up or lay their head down during treatment. Otherwise, a few drops of water may drip from the lattice onto the user’s upper cheek during treatment. This small quantity of heated water may be briefly uncomfortable, but is safe due the temperature and small quantity of the water involved. As defined above, it takes 5 seconds of continuous exposure (see sources below) to water at 140f to cause scalding to the skin, which would require a large quantity of water like from a faucet. A few drops of water that may drip from the eyecup will immediately cool when transferred to an ambient environment and therefore safe for skin contact.
See a few links below discussing safety of water temperatures:
https://rethority.com/water-heater-temperature/ (https://rethority.com/water-heater-temperature/)
https://homeinspectioninsider.com/water-heater-temperature-settings/ (https://homeinspectioninsider.com/water-heater-temperature-settings/)
https://www.homecoreinspections.com/resources/osha-hot-water-temperature-regulations (https://www.homecoreinspections.com/resources/osha-hot-water-temperature-regulations)
https://bestplumbers.com.au/plumbing-guides/hot-water-temperature-australia/ (https://bestplumbers.com.au/plumbing-guides/hot-water-temperature-australia/)
We recommend keeping the eyes open during treatment so that the openings of the meibomian (oil) glands in the eyelids are directly exposed to the moist heat. If the eyes are closed, the oil gland openings are more insulated from the moist heat. With the eyes open, the moist heat is better able to warm/soften any solidified oils that may be obstructing the gland openings.
We also recommend performing forced/exaggerated blinks every 15-30 seconds during the treatment to help breakup/expel these now warmed/softened oils out of the glands themselves. See our results page to see images of white meibum(thickened oil) that has been expelled from the oil glands during treatment. Blinking exercises can be performed after the treatment as well, but may not be as effective because the oils have likely already returned to their cooled/solidified state.
Unfortunately, the powercord does hang in front of the face and lips during normal use, making it difficult to eat or drink during the treatment. However, a few of our customers have informed us of the following quick fix, so you can easily sip your coffee or munch on some food....
If you bring the power cord up and back around one of your ears, you can move the cable away from over your mouth, so that you can now more easily eat or drink something. Let us know if that helps you in this regard as well.
The heater on the device actually serves two functions; one is to heat up and vaporize the water in the eyecup to create moist heat. The other is to actually heat up the lens itself so the bottom section of the lens defogs, which allows the user to see out of it to read or look at their phone (kind of like defogging on a car windshield).
The Steamgoggle was designed with ease of use, effectiveness and most importantly safety in mind. The inventor, on numerous occasions has microwaved a hot compress and applied it too early, trying to maximize the amount of heat transferred to the eyelids during the compress's short temperature window. The goal was to maximize the treatment effectiveness in unclogging oil glands, as lower temperatures to that point had not improved symptoms. However on numerous occasions, this actually resulted in burns to the skin, causing peeling eyelids and worsened symptoms during the healing period as well as sometime afterwards.
Innovative Heater Technology:
The SteamGoggle is unique in that it employs the use of special heaters to give a consistent supply of heat with no risk of overheating. These heaters work by heating up to a set temperature defined during their manufacture and cannot overheat due to their construction. This allows the device to create an abundant supply of moist heat not possible with USB type heaters; and without time constraints common with microwaveable and moist towel hot compresses. Additionally, the silicone eyecup that serves as an interface between the users face and plastic lens, is always cool to the touch and eliminates any risk of contact between the eye/face and the heated plastic lens. See our FAQ page for temperature information.()
The SteamGoggle is able to provide the most safe and effective moist heat dry eye treatment because it employs the use of ceramic PTC (Positive Thermal Coefficient) electric heaters. This heater differs from normal resistive heaters in that it is able to self regulate its temperature via its internal chemistry, and does not require external regulation controls. As the PTC heater reaches a certain temperature (defined during its manufacture), its resistance increases significantly, leading to a decrease in power consumption and preventing the temperature from rising uncontrollably. This proportional relationship between temperature and current flow continues until the target temperature is reached and all current flow stops (the heater is now essentially an insulator). PTC heaters are well known for their reliability and safety, as well as for being very energy efficient. This in turn, allows the device to rapidly heat to and maintain the desired temperature, all while eliminating the risk of overheating common with other electric heaters. See Wikipedia link for more information on self regulating PTC heaters.()
Separate External (Heater) and Internal (Moist Heat) Cavities:
The SteamGoggle works by having two completely separate plastic cavities on each eye piece of the goggle. On the external cavity, a PTC heater encased in silicone, transfers heat through the plastic lens to the internal cavity that features a raised plastic lattice containing clean water. This heat slowly vaporizes the water to create a therapeutic moist heat environment inside the internal cavity. Completely separating the two cavities eliminates any concern over any interaction between the eye and any of the electronics or heater assembly during a treatment session.
BPA Free:
The Steamgoggle lens is injection molded using a thermoplastic resin called Polyethersulfone (PESU), which is known for being a high performance replacement for Polycarbonate (which contains BPA). Polyethersulfone was chosen as it has a high resistance to heat, is BPA free and is commonly used in household/industry food preparation and cooking applications. It is also known for being used in catering gear, water filtration membranes as well as the internal components used in espresso machines. Switching to this high performance resin approved for cooking and food contact eliminates any concern of BPA leaching that is common with polycarbonate at higher temperatures.
Testing:
Each device following being manufactured, is run through a complete "dry" treatment cycle (no water applied to plastic lattice) and tested for correct temperature output and electrical characteristics (voltage/current draw) to ensure the device is functioning properly. A small sample of units undergo a "wet" test with purified water added to the grooves and again tested for correct temperature output and electrical characteristics. These units are then rinsed in a 100% isopropyl alcohol bath and dried prior to being packaged.
See link for device Important Safety Instructions.()
Yes, the treatment time can easily be extended to whatever time you prefer as the included powerbank offers enough power for over 15 full treatment cycles. For maximum effect, we actually recommend trying multiple sessions in a row (20-30min), combined with intermittent forced blinking exercises (this is what worked for the inventor-- Click here to learn about his dry eye story)().
-See below for a more detailed explanation:
Each time the power button is pressed, a 1.5 minute warmup time will be followed by a 8.5 minute treatment time as indicated by audible beeps. After the 10 total minutes, the device will shut off power to the heaters. At this time, the majority of the water inside each plastic lattice will have evaporated and the moist heat temperature felt inside each eyecup will begin to decrease. If the treatment ends either by timer or lack of water in the plastic grooves, another session can be initiated (if desired) by simply restarting the timer and adding additional water to the grooves (no need to wait again for the 1.5 minute warm up time as goggle is already warmed up). Typical total treatment times can range from 10-30 minutes although it is recommended to start off at the lower range and evaluate your eyes response to the moist heat. Excessive moist heat can potentially irritate the eyes delicate tissues and result in excessive redness or exacerbated symptoms.
It is important to wash your eyelids/eyelashes with a mild cleanser following treatment to remove any debris dislodged from the oil glands (and accompanying bacteria) from the eyes. Per our instruction guide, we suggest baby soap as an option as it is cheap, easy to find, is generally well tolerated, and has been recommended by eye doctors for years. We understand that some doctors have recently been shifting away from baby soap (due to some of its ingredients being potentially irritating to the eye) to specifically designed eye cleansers. Regardless, the most important part is to keep the eyes clean after using the device and we fully support using what works for you to achieve that goal.
If using baby soap or a similar type cleanser, we recommend to stand over a sink for this process. With the water already running, close the eyes and with your fingers, gently rub the soap all over the eyes and try to massage it into the base of the eyelashes. Then rinse all of the soap off your eyes with the running water.
Along with the eyes, the device should be cleaned with a mild cleanser and water after each use. Note that the entire goggle is water resistant (front and back), and can be placed under the faucet to easily wash away any soap remnants. Just ensure that water does not get on the power switch or power bank.
In general, most available cleansers are fine to use to clean the device. However, we recommend baby soap because in the event that some leftover soap remains in the goggle, it won't potentially irritate the eye during use. For reference, click on this Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/Johnsons-Baby-Tear-Free-Delicate-Phthalate/dp/B07DGKWFJM/ref=sr_1_36?crid=3FNLU05543CVI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2zMDe1MLI1Vwa_DTApFi3e6EqSy0-g80-t08EWmnhhkoFOmEGdi4ELezt0zMwJUA9oRv2oGg3vuU17kvT7Mx1BKBrLOEKWXsIn2bjeo0AaDQWtehUreC7iFSrbgKOv2kc0bW0ThsJQ8VmNqR_PRLwwsgNDGpU6vtspAEISOu3pyeCtAN1oblKhzBcy85rwtclIRK_yMfxAkGtprHRc2l0qCFIlU3yefroiTXovaO0mRzLkKo0IpNjQNVOpzwDiXQRWJ09gVs1icKNOLXk4uvo76lnrMfPaZ7lXfoqH-YuVo.uqOpl4Ri-uvgBpZBZ1Lg_gnlZ0vfQ3oJ0MP9I8eWYjU&dib_tag=se&keywords=baby%2Bsoap&qid=1750798090&sprefix=baby%2Bsoa%2Caps%2C319&sr=8-36&th=1)to see the Johnson and Johnson baby soap used by the inventor.
A deeper cleaning may be performed as needed with a soft brush to get inside the plastic lattice inside each eyecup to remove any previously solidified gland contents/debris or hard water deposits that may have been deposited during treatment.
The powerbank may take longer to charge or jump around in percentages (50% to 0%) the first few times it is charged/discharged...This is normal and is a part of its normal calibration process when it is starting to be used for the first time. The powerbank charge/discharge cycles should stabilize after a few full charge/discharge cycles.
During the first few initial charge cycles, leave the powerbank on the charger until it reaches a full 100% charge to help facilitate the calibration process.
Each SteamGoggle device goes through a multistep manufacturing process that includes electrical soldering (with lead free solder) and liquid RTV silicone application, which occasionally creates some spatter and may leave a few small specs/residue on the outside of the lens/device. If desired, (as the goggle itself is waterproof) these can be easily washed off by placing the goggle under a faucet and using your finger to lightly scrub the lens surface. Some light scuffing may also occur on the outside of the lens as an inherant part of the manufacturing process. Any scuffing should have no effect on the ability of the user to clearly see through the lens during device operation. This is partly due to the fact that the majority of the lens is normally fogged up during use and not used to see out of (only a small bottom section of lens defogs during device operation).
In addition, the device's silicone/plastic surfaces can easily attract some dust/particulate during the manufacturing process or thereafter. Again, if desired (as the goggle itself is waterproof) the device can be easily cleaned by placing under the faucet to rinse off any dust/particulate.
We recommend the goggle to sit loosely on the face with very little or no suction…The goggle should not be overly tight where it is causing discomfort and/or excessive goggle marks. It may be useful to extend the elastic head strap to its full length as shown below...
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c06747_233ec584717b4540a6395c02e85d421a~mv2.jpg
If the goggle is still too tight, removing one section of the strap with scissors will allow the goggle to sit more loosely on the face. See image below...
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c06747_0461e21e92994815a4b07da17674d1f1~mv2.png
Also, included with each device are small and large interchangeable nose pieces that can be swapped out for the medium sized nose piece on the unit. Different people may find certain nosepieces to be more comfortable than others.
In recent years, research has identified MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) as being one of the leading causes of dry eye type symptoms including, dryness, burning, grittiness, scraping, aching, and the feeling of something in the eye. Meibomian glands are oil glands on the inside of the top and bottom of each eyelid and secrete oil (meibum) with each blink to lubricate the ocular surface and prevent tear evaporation. In some people, the glands become inflamed, which can cause oil secretions to turn from an olive oil consistency to that of toothpaste or thicker. This in turn clogs the glands and sets off a cycle of irritation, inflammation and possibly infection, that is difficult to treat due to the eye’s sensitive nature. Symptoms arise due to a missing/inefficient protective oil layer, which causes excessive tear evaporation and increased friction between the cornea and inner eyelid. Additionally, any of this meibum that does make it out of the glands, immediately exacerbates symptoms as its thick/gritty composition is spread across the ocular surface.
Symptoms of MGD can also be similar of a condition called Blepharitis which includes crusty eyelashes and red/swollen eyelids. Both conditions may exist in tandem and exacerbate symptoms.
Patients with these chronic diseases (MGD and Blepharitis) should adhere to a daily regimen of eyelid hygiene to help treat symptoms and keep them at bay. Current treatments involve routinely cleaning the ocular region with mild soaps/cleansers and the application of moist heat to help loosen thickened oils to help unclog the glands and restore their function.
Since there is such a large selection of contact lenses on the market of various materials and possible varying quality, we cannot give a blanket statement endorsing the use of all contacts during Steamgoggle use. However, if the manufacturer of your contacts allows for their use in a typical steam room type atmosphere, than we feel it should be safe to use on our device. For some, the contact lens may be irritating to the eye when combined with moist heat, but this will need to be tested on a case by case basis for each person.
Returns: For each of our official sales channels (e.g. Amazon,Website etc), we offer a relaxed 60 day money back guarantee. We offer this extended time period (as opposed to the standard 30 day) as it can take at least a few weeks to see results when using the device and we want to eliminate the added stress of a tight return window for our customers.
As the inventor, I know firsthand about spending alot of money on dry eye treatments that didn't help me (read my bio on website (https://www.steamgoggle.com/about)for more info). These include numerous and expensive doctor office treatments that almost always specify no refunds regardless of outcome. That is why I am pleased to offer this premium treatment option paired with the 60 day money back guarantee, as this is something I would have wanted when my eyes were at their worst.
Warranty: We offer a full 1 year warranty on the device. Always contact us directly by phone (714--356-7638) or email (info@steamgoggle.com)(mailto:info@steamgoggle.com) for questions or support.
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