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SKU: MEL-CU 1003

Rebecca's Rice Baggy Kit

Rated 4.5 out of 5
Based on 6 reviews
Sale price

  • - $-24.95
  • Regular price $24.95
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    About Rebecca's Rice Baggy

    • Super-soft, dye-free, domestically grown organic cottons
    • Simple, effective alternative to warm washcloths - retains heat much longer
    • Can be used warm or cold (microwave required for heating)
    • Choice of  sizes. Full size is 4" x 8", half size is 4" x 4"
    • Included: Rice baggy, jersey knit slipcover, muslin travel sack (note: pattern may vary depending on availability), instructions

    Description (by Rebecca)

    The Rice Baggy is based on a simple, classic homemade tool used commonly for management of chronic meibomian gland syndrome or blepharitis. We took the concept and turned it into more of a luxury item. Each Rice Baggy is lovingly hand made for us in Texas from domestically milled organic cottons purchased from family owned businesses.

    Our Rice Baggy is a soft oblong organic cotton ‘bag’ partially filled with uncooked rice. It is heated briefly in the microwave, placed in a luxurious cotton knit slipcover, and then placed over the eyes. When used as part of a doctor-recommended treatment plan, its function is to heat the eyelids enough to loosen up thickened oil secretions (meibum) plugging the oil glands so that the oil in the glands can once again flow into the tears and perform its vital role of slowing evaporative tear loss. It can also be used, warm or cold, just for its soothing effects.

    Full vs. Half Size

    We have two sizes available - full and half size. From a heat retention standpoint, the full size is preferable. However, it is large and as it is designed to extend over both eyes, it necessarily covers a lot of the skin between and around the eyes. This can be a problem for people with very sensitive skin or facial rosacea, as too much heat can trigger skin reactions.

    The half size rice baggy allows you to concentrate the heat right over a smaller area, or alternatively to treat one eye at a time. People with facial rosacea, however, may be better off with Thermoeyes heat packs (ordinary size not XL) as they are much smaller and can heat only the lids and nothing else.

    What about moisture?

    Some doctors recommend moist heat, some make no distinction between moist and dry as long as the temperature, during and delivery method are appropriate. We have rice baggy users who add moisture by wrapping the rice baggy in plastic then covering with a moist washcloth before placing it on their eyes. Another alternative for a moist compress would be the Tranquileyes kits that include ThermoEyes instant or bead type heat packs.

    Try it cold!

    The most popular use of rice baggies is for warm compresses, but many people use them cold (store in a plastic bag in the freezer) to help with inflammation and pain. Cold packs are an underutilized tool for eye pain.

    Usage and care

    What is Rebecca's Rice Baggy used for?

    The rice baggy is used for warm or cold compresses for the eyes.  Warm compresses are often used by dry eye patients either for comfort purposes alone, or therapeutically on the advice of an eye doctor as part of a treatment plan for blepharitis / meibomian gland dysfunction. Please consult your doctor about the use of heat on your eyelids.

    Instructions for use

    For complete instructions, please click here.

    • Place the Rice Baggy (without the slipcover) in the microwave. (Do not use a conventional oven.) Heating time varies greatly depending on your microwave – anywhere from 25 seconds to over a minute. You will have to experiment with this a bit to determine how long is the optimal time to heat your Rice Baggy. We suggest starting at about 30-35 seconds (less for the Mini). 
    • Remove Rice Baggy and test by holding it against the inside of your wrist, then against your lids. It should be warm but not hot. DO NOT OVERHEAT. 
    • Place it inside the slipcover, sit or lie down and place it over your eyes. Leave in place for 5 to 10 minutes, or longer if desired or as directed by your doctor. 
    • Some people like to do lid massage afterwards in order to express meibum. Please do this only if you have instructions and a demonstration from your doctor. 

    Cleaning and care

    Your rice baggy slipcover can be hand washed or machine washed in cold water. To avoid shrinkage do not machine dry. 

    At the risk of stating the obvious, do not wash your rice baggy itself. Either replace it regularly, or open it up, empty out the rice, wash and dry it, refill and sew closed.

    Replacements

    See links below for replacement baggies and slipcovers.

    Cautions: 

    • DO NOT OVERHEAT! As with any heat pack that is heated in a microwave, there is a very real danger of burning your eyelids or even your eyes if you overheat it. 
    • Do not overuse (heated). Please consult your eye doctor about the frequency and duration of warm compresses suitable for you.
    • Do not heat in a conventional oven! This product is suitable for microwave heating only.
    average rating 4.5 out of 5
    Based on 6 reviews
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    83% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
    Effectiveness
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 4 out of 5
    6 Reviews
    Reviewed by jeannene s., from United States
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Age Range
    61 - 70
    Gender
    Female
    Use scleral lenses or PROSE
    No
    Eye Condition(s)
    • Dry eye disease
    • Blepharitis/MGD
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    Rice Baggy Kit

    Perfect size, made well, nice storage bag, and love that it's made with an organic removable cover. Very happy with my purchase! Great job Rebecca!

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    Effectiveness
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 5 out of 5
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    Reviewed by gail k., from United States
    Verified Buyer
    I don't recommend this product
    Age Range
    61 - 70
    Gender
    Female
    Use scleral lenses or PROSE
    No
    Eye Condition(s)
    • Blepharitis/MGD
    Rated 2 out of 5
    Review posted

    Rice Baggy

    I've ordered this before and much prefer the size they used to be which was medium, in between the one I ordered (small) and large. The small is too large for me as I like to cover only the minimum eye area (for me lower lids) but to small to cover both eyes. I liked using a knee stocking but think it might not be healthy to cook that thing in the microwave. I like that you can make it the exact size needed. The craftsmanship and nice soft fabric is wonderful but I can't use them. I made a thin bag out of the case, hoping it's 100% cotton. It doesn't work very well, but better than nothing at this point.

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    Rated 1 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 1 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 1 out of 5
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    DryEyeShop

    Hi Gail, thank you for your feedback. We've never changed the size (as in dimensions of the baggies), Fill shouldn't vary either though it's possible due to error that the fill was different on a unit, since they're hand made. All materials are 100% organic cotton.

    If you're looking to minimize the area you cover you could rest the baggy seam side down rather than the whole baggy flat across your eye. The Tranquileyes with Beads and Instants has a rather small heat pack that can help just to heat the lids. We're also going to be launching a new steam activated mask that has minimal contact aside from the lids, that you may also be interested in.

    Reviewed by Judith C., from United States
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Age Range
    61 - 70
    Gender
    Female
    Use scleral lenses or PROSE
    No
    Eye Condition(s)
    • Dry eye disease
    • Aqueous deficient dry eye
    • Evaporative dry eye
    • Blepharitis/MGD
    • Glaucoma
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    Love Rebecca’s Rice Baggys

    I have been using these for many many years and every time I try something different I always go back to these...

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    Effectiveness
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 5 out of 5
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    Reviewed by Nikkie M., from United States
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Age Range
    71 - 80
    Gender
    Female
    Use scleral lenses or PROSE
    No
    Eye Condition(s)
    • Blepharitis/MGD
    Systemic diseases/conditions related to eye issues
    • Other
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    Best product for dry eyes!

    Rebecca’s Rice Baggy is the best product for my severe dry eye problems. I have used other products and this one is consistently the one I prefer.

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    Effectiveness
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 5 out of 5
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    Reviewed by juliet h., from United States
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Age Range
    51 - 60
    Gender
    Female
    Use scleral lenses or PROSE
    No
    Eye Condition(s)
    • Dry eye disease
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    Rice baggy

    Wonderful rice baggy for dry eyes.

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    Effectiveness
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Ease of Use
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Value
    Rated 5 out of 5
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