On Monday (April 27), a topic on Chinese social media caught public attention: "Chinese mainland actress Yang Mi's face burned by steam eye mask". The actress posted a selfie on Weibo showing two red marks just below her right eye, jokingly captioning it, "The eye mask bit me." The injury was apparently caused by a low-temperature burn from an overheated eye mask.
Many netizens reacted with alarm, saying they would never wear such a mask to sleep again. Others raised a specific concern: Can people with high myopia safely use steam eye masks?
Jiang Wenjie, an ophthalmologist at General Hospital 363, has previously addressed this issue. According to him, people with simple high myopia can use heat therapy to relieve eye fatigue. However, those with high myopia complicated by glaucoma, retinal disorders, or other serious eye conditions may risk worsening symptoms or triggering complications from the heat.
What risks are hidden in steam eye masks? Which groups of people need to be especially careful?
The heat from a steam eye mask is generated by a self-heating temperature-control technology. Metal powders inside react with moisture in the air to produce a stable heat source and gentle, humidified steam.
According to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Eye Center), this process moderately raises the temperature around the eyes, improves local blood circulation, and supports meibomian gland function, helping to alleviate dry eye and visual fatigue to some extent.
Despite the comfort, wearing a steam eye mask overnight is risky. Prolonged exposure to temperatures around 50 C can cause "low-temperature burns". Since pain perception decreases during sleep, users may not realize they are being burned. People with diabetes and those with sensitive skin are at higher risk and should avoid sleeping with the mask. Experts recommend limiting use to 20 minutes per session, and discontinuing use immediately if any discomfort or skin changes appear.
When eyes feel tired or dry, many instinctively reach for a warm compress. But heat therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For some individuals, it may quietly worsen problems or introduce new risks.
Doctors emphasize that while the mask's surface temperature is mild, prolonged use can still burn the ocular surface. The key is controlling both time and temperature — a single session should last around 15 minutes and never exceed 20 minutes. Patients with glaucoma, retinal issues, or other serious eye diseases should consult a doctor before using any heated eye product.
(Source: China Daily)
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