FAREWELL DRY EYE
My eyes feel alive again!
Dave Cleworth, Barracloughs Director of Operations and Marketing walks us through his new dry eye care regime...
Dry, irritated eyes are something that creeps into daily life quietly - subtly at first, then persistently enough to affect comfort, concentration, and even confidence.
My own struggle with dryness and screen-related eye fatigue had been ongoing for years before I finally decided to try a solution beyond the traditional eye drops. We have recently begun stocking the Peep Club Heated Eye Wand, a small but thoughtfully designed device that has since become a consistent part of my self-care routine. What follows is an honest and detailed reflection on my journey with it: what I hoped for, what I discovered and how it has shaped my everyday wellbeing.
At my most recent eye examination, I was diagnosed with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). It's a relatively common condition which arises when the meibomian glands (tiny oil-producing glands located along the rims of the eyelids) don’t function properly. Normally, these glands secrete meibum, which is basically an oil that forms the outermost layer of our tear film. This oily layer is critical because it helps prevent the watery layer of tears from evaporating too quickly.
When these glands become blocked, or when the oil they produce is of poor quality, the tear film becomes unstable. The watery layer evaporates more quickly, leaving the surface of the eye dry, irritated, gritty, or even inflamed.
Learning this was both clarifying and frustrating: it explained why artificial tears alone felt like a temporary fix, but also highlighted that something more targeted was needed - ideally a way to “unblock” or reactivate those meibomian glands so they could do their job properly.
My daily life includes extensive screen time - work, emails, reading and leisure all involve staring at screens for long stretches. This is a big contributor to my eye fatigue and dryness, because blinking tends to decrease when you’re focused on a screen, which means less natural tear distribution.
On top of that, I drive around with air conditioning and work all week in an air-conditioned environment, which dries out the air. Dry air is notorious for exacerbating tear evaporation. Add to that the recent colder temperatures outdoors, and you’ve got a recipe for aggravated dry eye symptoms.
All of these factors made my MGD noticeably worse, because they made my tear film more unstable and my eyes more likely to feel scratchy, tired or irritable. The Peep Club Heated Eye Wand has helped me directly combat the root of the problem: by warming and massaging my eyelids, I promote the secretion of meibum, which restores the oil layer and reduces how quickly my tears evaporate.
WHAT MAKES THE HEATED EYE WAND STAND OUT
There are lots of options on the market to ease dry eye and to help with MGD. I tried using a heated eye compress in the morning and in the evening, but would find myself dozing off! I also struggled to massage my eyelids effectively. Eye drops are always a great help, with instant, refreshing relief, but for me personally this felt very temporary.
The Peep Club Heated Eye Wand is purpose-built to address exactly the kind of issue I was facing. This device uses a combination of heat, gentle vibration massage and LED light therapy to support gland function and eye comfort.
The wand is cordless and rechargeable via USB, has a built-in timer, and is designed to maintain its heat effectively for the duration of each session, which I really liked as I found that the eye compress would (obviously) gradually cool off after a little while.
Heat
The wand warms up to a controlled temperature between 37°C and 45°C, reaching the set temperature in under a minute. I find that 39°C is just right for me. This heat helps liquefy or soften the thickened oils (meibum) that may be clogging the meibomian glands, allowing them to flow more freely and restore the lipid layer in the tear film.
Massage / Vibration
The wand vibrates gently, at about 10,000 pulses per minute, which provides a light massage to the eyelid. This not only helps to stimulate lymphatic drainage (reducing puffiness) but also supports the release of the liquefied oils from the glands.
LED Light Therapy
Three distinct LED settings are available to address different needs, from soothing redness to enhancing collagen.
LED LIGHT THERAPY
What's the benefit?
Red LED light
Red LED has skin-rejuvenating and anti-aging properties, as it promotes the production of collagen and elastin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
Amber LED light
The amber LED reduces redness and the appearance of dark circles by minimising visible blood vessels and pigmentation. It helps create a more even tone around the eyes.
Green LED light
The green LED is used to calm inflammation, soothe irritation, and aid in the healing of damaged cells. It can help with conditions like ocular rosacea and is anti-inflammatory, making it beneficial for irritated or sensitive skin around the eyes.
Starting my routine
There's no point in introducing a new regime into your life and not sticking with it - whether it's eye health or overall health, consistency is key so I have made sure I stuck to my routine. I'm glad I did, as the results are really noticeable.
Along with the following regime, I also use HydraMed Forte eye drops, twice a day (morning and evening), to supplement hydration and maintain a stable tear film. Between that I also use the Peep Club eye spray twice a day, and between the eye wand, the drops and the eye spray, I feel like I’m supporting my eyes on multiple fronts.
I begin by switching on the wand to heat it up. You hold down the function button to switch it on and then use the plus or minus buttons to adjust the heat level. It only takes about 60 seconds for it to reach my chosen temperature (I tend to use it at 39°C). Whilst it is heating up, I prepare my eyes with some eye balm...
LOOKING AHEAD
Things to be mindful of
While this has been a very positive experience for me personally, it’s not quite like “plug-and-play” for everyone:
- You definitely do need some lubricant (balm, oil or serum) to let the wand glide without tugging.
- It takes a mindful approach: moving the wand too quickly or applying too much pressure can reduce effectiveness - slower is better.
- The device has contraindications (for example, for people with nickel allergy, or those with very recent eye surgery) - so it's worth checking the guidance.
- As with any MGD treatment, consistency is key. Results weren’t instant - it took me several weeks of twice-daily use before I felt I was getting full benefit.
Looking back, I think the real turning point for me was deciding to treat the cause of my dry eyes (MGD), rather than just managing the symptoms. The Peep Club Heated Eye Wand gave me a straightforward, at-home way of doing that.
Here are a few lessons from my experience:
- Be patient. It’s not a one-off cure - regular use is where the benefits lie.
- Build a system. The wand works best when combined with good hygiene, lubricants, and eye drops.
- Listen to your eyes. Adjust the temperature and LED mode to what feels right (which could vary from day to day).
- Make it part of self-care. Rather than being a chore, I've turned wand sessions into a small ritual - a few minutes of gentleness that feels more like treating myself than treating a condition. I can even watch TV (with one eye) while I am treating my eyes.
To summarise, I can honestly say that this new routine has rebalanced my eyes. After years of grinding through discomfort, intermittent relief from drops and endless frustration, I now have a practical, science-backed tool that helps my eyelids work as they should - keeping my tear film healthier, my eyes calmer, and my evenings less scratchy-feeling!
Dry eye and MGD can offer a different experience depending on the individual, but for me, this wand has been transformational. It's small, portable and - most importantly - effective! I only wish I had discovered it sooner.
