Breakthrough medical device (sort of)

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this article was not talking about a medical device per se... but rather a humble flax baggie, much like my favorite rice baggy. Quite right that this concept should be employed routinely by eye doctors. I only wish it was able to keep each and every case of MGD under control, but sadly there are many whose condition does not respond to heat or other usual treatments. article in the UK press:

Simple Device Could Save NHS Millions

ALIFAX, England, August 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A simple eye treatment device developed three years ago by Yorkshire based consultant ophthalmologist, Teifi James was borne out of his 20 years of conducting eye clinics and seeing patients suffering with some aspect of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) such as dry eye syndromes, blepharitis, stye and chalazion.

The device marketed as an EyeBag is made from suedex and silk cloth and filled with flax (linseed) and works on the principle of a warm eye compress. Flax seeds are used because of their size and density allowing the EyeBag, once warmed in the microwave, to sit effectively and comfortably across the eyes.

Some 30% of patients referred to ophthalmology/optometry clinics in the UK have some form of MGD with thousands more people experiencing the symptoms of MGD going undiagnosed or untreated.