Patent ID: 8235954

Claim:
A compress for treating eye conditions comprising: a container having an impermeable outer membrane enclosing an interior volume of the container, the container sized to fit generally within the peri-orbital region and sufficiently flexible to mold to the shape of the eye, and a source of heat energy disposed within the interior volume of the container where the container is impermeable in that the source of heat energy does not pass outside the container, said heat energy generated by either a reheatable material or an exothermic chemical reaction, using i) a chemical in the container that is to crystallize when a metal piece in the container with which it is in contact is physically altered, thereby releasing heat as a byproduct, or ii) two chemicals, selected to have an exothermic reaction when mixed, separated by an inner membrane that is to become permeable by digital pressure without penetration of the impermeable outer membrane, allowing the two chemicals to mix in the container thereby releasing heat as a byproduct, or iii) a chemical in the container that is reheatable by boiling or microwave.