How do I use my Blephasteam Device?

Blephasteam is a medical device prescribed by your eye care specialist.

We recommend you use Blephasteam twice a day - unless otherwise recommended by your eye care professional. You must allow at least 4 hours between sessions. It is important to follow the Blephasteam operating instructions and the recommendations of your eye care professional.

Blephasteam is easy to use:

  1. Blephasteam operates while plugged into an electrical outlet. It needs to preheat for 15 minutes before use.
  2. The Blephasteam rings must be moistened with mineral water, or saline solution, and be placed inside the device. The device is now ready to use. These rings are single use only and must be thrown away after use. New rings must be used for each treatment in order to ensure optimal efficacy and hygiene.
  3. Sessions are 10 minutes long.  Blephasteam allows clear vision during the session so you can carry out normal activities.
  4. After 10 minutes the session is complete. Stop using Blephasteam and throw the rings away. Each Blephasteam device must be used by a single individual only and must be cleaned carefully with the provided dry blue cloth or with an alcohol-soaked wipe after each use.
  5. For a complete treatment, massage the eyelids and clean with a pad.

For more detailed information:

Download a Blephasteam use manual here.

How do I clean my Blephasteam?

Your Blephasteam must be cleaned with the dry blue cloth provided or an alcohol-soaked wipe after each use.

Do not immerse the device in water or clean under running water. 

Remember your Blephasteam is only to be used by a single individual.

Can I use Blephasteam with my contacts?

No, as with any ophthalmologic treatment, it is recommended that you always remove your contact lenses from your eyes before using Blephasteam.

Can kids use Blephasteam?

Children can use Blephasteam after consulting an eye care specialist - they need to be under full supervision during use.

There is no clinical data on the safety and efficacy in children.

What temperature does Blephasteam use?

Blephasteam heats your eyelids to 40°C, which has been demonstrated to be sufficient to melt the obstructing meibum with no risk to your eyes and eyelids.

This level of temperature and moisture combined with the length of the treatment has been shown to be safe and comfortable for use.

The safety and efficacy of Blephasteam have been evaluated in many clinical studies at this temperature.

For details on the benefits of the constant temperature nature of using the device from a scientific / health point of view, rather than just an ease of use viewpoint, please see our Research page for the many studies that have been done on the use and affectiveness of Blephasteam for helping those with MGD, Blepharitis, and or dry eyes.

When should I not use Blephasteam?

Blephasteam should not be used if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Acute diseases of the eyes and/or eyelids
  • Recent trauma and corneal lesions in the eye
  • Meibomian seborrhea (excessive secretion produced by the eyelid glands)
  • Following eye or peri-ocular surface surgery

If you wear contact lenses, always remove them before using Blephasteam.

Eye drops should not be used for at least 15 minutes before or after use of Blephasteam.

For any kind of medical diseases and contraindications, please ask your eye care specialist.

Does Blephasteam have a warranty?

Blephasteam has a 1 year warranty from the purchase date in normal usage conditions and covers any fault, defective material or workmanship, provided the product has been used strictly in accordance with the instructions.

For any other problems or questions related to the functioning of this system, please contact Laboratoires THEA.

What safety & efficacy research has been done on the Blephasteam?

Meibomian lipids vary in their melting point temperature between healthy and MGD patients. A normal melting point starts at 32°C while a patient with MGD can require a temperature up to 35°C.
External heat increases the flow of the secretion from the gland by increasing blood flow and melts the waxy meibum.

Blephasteam delivers a constant moist heat therapy which is sufficient to melt the obstructed oily secretion and is below the safety limit. The safety and efficacy of Blephasteam was evaluated and showed that the temperature delivered by Blephasteam is safe and comfortable. Temperatures were measured on a dummy cornea, they were observed to rise from 34°C to a safe level of 42°C. These temperatures allow patients suffering from MGD to meet the melting point of their meibum.

Some studies by ophthalmologists have shown that one session of Blephasteam can improve the thickness lipid layer thickness of 87.5% of patients and improve the ocular comfort of 75% of patients. The use of Blephasteam also delayed tear evaporation, as the thickness and the quality of the lipid layer is increased. After 10 minutes of treatment, the tear evaporation is reduced by 32%.

Moreover, the use of Blephasteam decreased symptoms of grittiness/dryness, foreign body sensation and ocular discomfort.

Blephasteam meets all the safety requirement of the CE mark.  For information on some of the clinical studies conducted to assure your safety, please see our research page.