In recent years, heat therapy has gained attention for its simplicity and significant efficacy in treating dry eye and related ocular conditions. By heating the meibomian gland area, heat therapy softens meibomian secretions and improves gland duct patency, making it widely used for chalazion, hordeolum, blepharitis, and meibomian gland dysfunction. Additionally, it effectively alleviates visual fatigue and dry eye discomfort, promotes ocular healing, and reduces the risk of infection.In ancient China, the application of heat therapy was recorded early in texts such as the Huangdi Neijing and Han Feizi. The Huainanzi from the Western Han Dynasty mentions the use of cautery for eye diseases, while Zhouhou Beiji Fang by Ge Hong in the Eastern Jin Dynasty describes methods for treating eye discomfort with hot compresses. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Beiji Qianjin Yaofang and Wai Tai Mi Yao provided detailed accounts of heat therapy applications. The Song Dynasty works *Shengji Zonglu* and Longshu Bodhisattva's Eye Treatise further refined the techniques. The Ming and Qing dynasties’ texts Pujifang and Mujing Dacheng documented new advancements in heat therapy.In summary, ancient heat therapy for ophthalmology accumulated substantial experience. Despite advances in modern medical technology, these traditional methods still hold significant reference value.
