System and method for treating blepharitis using tissue stressing

A device for activating nociceptors on an eyelid of an eye for activating at least one of a corneal reflex, a menace reflex, and a lacrimation reflex of said eye, comprising:

• at least one skin tissue pressure generator comprising a plurality of heated tips, for generating at least one heated pressure signal;
• at least one controller coupled to said at least one skin tissue pressure generator, for controlling said at least one skin tissue pressure generator;
• a power supply coupled to said at least one skin tissue pressure generator and said at least one controller;
• and
• a housing encasing said at least one skin tissue pressure generator and said at least one controller;
• a distance gauge positioned at a distal end of said housing, for limiting a distance of a linear harmonic pulsating motion of said plurality of heated tips to a predetermined advancing depth into said eyelid;
• wherein said at least one controller controls said at least one skin tissue pressure generator to apply said at least one heated pressure signal to a predetermined advancing depth of said plurality of heated tips to stress an external surface of said eyelid;
• wherein said predetermined advancing depth is 400 micrometers or less;
• wherein said at least one skin tissue pressure generator applies said at least one heated pressure signal to said external surface of said eyelid such that there is intermittent direct contact between said plurality of heated tips and said external surface of said eyelid;
• wherein said at least one heated pressure signal is a generated pulse having a pulse duration on said external surface of said eyelid of 6 milliseconds or less;
• wherein said at least one heated pressure signal activates said nociceptors on said eyelid and nociceptors on said eye without tissue coagulation on said eye, thereby activating said at least one of said corneal reflex, said menace reflex and said lacrimation reflex of said eyelid.