What is blepharitis?
A chronic inflammation of the eyelid margin. This is the area of the eyelid that interacts with your eye (think of where eyeliner would go) up to the eyelash follicle. Blepharitis can be broken down into two categories based on where in inflammation is occurring:
Anterior Blepharitis: The inflammation is happening within the eyelash follicles. This results in a crusty, dandruff-like material to accumulate at the base of the eyelashes. A common cause of Anterior Blepharitis is a result of a mite infestation called Demodex. These mites are found all over our skin, but tend to overgrow in our eyelash follicles and the oil glands. The exact prevalence of Demodex is uncertain, but it is suggested that 58-100% of the general population has this infestation. The mites tend to be in a more active state at night, resulting in very itchy, crusty, and heavy-feeling eyelids in the middle of the night and morning.
Posterior Blepharitis: This can also be referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfuction (MGD). The meibomian glands are long tubes filled with oil that run within the eyelids and open up at the eyelid margin. The purpose of these glands is to secrete liquid oil into the tear film every time you blink. In Posterior Blepharitis or MGD, the oil within the gland has thickened to a point where the oils do not secrete into the tear film. When the tears are not protected by this oil layer, the eyes will dry out within seconds.
Anterior Blepharitis: The inflammation is happening within the eyelash follicles. This results in a crusty, dandruff-like material to accumulate at the base of the eyelashes. A common cause of Anterior Blepharitis is a result of a mite infestation called Demodex. These mites are found all over our skin, but tend to overgrow in our eyelash follicles and the oil glands. The exact prevalence of Demodex is uncertain, but it is suggested that 58-100% of the general population has this infestation. The mites tend to be in a more active state at night, resulting in very itchy, crusty, and heavy-feeling eyelids in the middle of the night and morning.
Posterior Blepharitis: This can also be referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfuction (MGD). The meibomian glands are long tubes filled with oil that run within the eyelids and open up at the eyelid margin. The purpose of these glands is to secrete liquid oil into the tear film every time you blink. In Posterior Blepharitis or MGD, the oil within the gland has thickened to a point where the oils do not secrete into the tear film. When the tears are not protected by this oil layer, the eyes will dry out within seconds.
Do I have blepharitis?
Probably. The majority of people have some signs of eyelid inflammation. Around half of the population is symptomatic of the effects of blepharitis. If you have any of these symptoms, blepharitis could be a factor: itchy eyelids, crusty lids, flakey lids, dry eyes, red eyes, heavy lids, burning, grittiness, light sensitivity, eye soreness, eye fatigue, and eyes feeling stuck shut in the morning. You are more prone to symptomatic blepharitis if you also have seasonal allergies, rosacea, oily skin, dandruff, and have sensitivity to staph bacteria and demodex mite infestation.
What is the treatment for blepharitis?
There may not be a complete cure for blepharitis, but treatments can keep the condition at bay to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Treatment involves "lid scrubs", which essentially means washing your lids and lashes. There are specialized foaming cleansers or individually packaged pre-moistened towelettes with formulas designed to kill the bacteria and mites that live in our lids and lashes. These are safe for use around the eyes and are okay if it gets into the eye. Your eye doctor will determine the likely cause of your blepharitis and will suggest the specific formula that will work best for you. For example, signs of Demodex mite infestation will involve a formula containing tea tree oil, which has been shown to be effective in reducing the number of mites.
What is BlephEx?
BlephEx is an in-office treatment that your eye doctor will perform on your eyelids. Basically, it is the ultimate lid scrub. If you have been diagnosed with blepharitis, it is suggested to get BlephEx done initially to get you feeling better right away, then perform your at-home lid scrubs regularly for maintenance. BlephEx can be repeated throughout the year when the symptoms start to return. The more diligent you are with at-home care, generally the less frequently you will need the BlephEx treatment repeated.
The treatment itself only takes about 1-2 minutes for each of the four eyelids. Your eye doctor will soak a spongey tip in a specialized foaming cleanser and then attach to a rotating scrubber. The spinning scrubber will be gently run across the eyelids from side to side, removing all debris, oils, and killing bacteria and mites living in the oil glands and eyelash follicles. There is no pain with the treatment, but it does tickle as the scrubber moves along the lashes. The best part is that the relief is instant and you leave the office with lighter lids and less of that sticky feeling when you blink. Expect some redness of the lids and the white of the eye immediately after the treatment, which will dissipate within minutes to hours.
The treatment itself only takes about 1-2 minutes for each of the four eyelids. Your eye doctor will soak a spongey tip in a specialized foaming cleanser and then attach to a rotating scrubber. The spinning scrubber will be gently run across the eyelids from side to side, removing all debris, oils, and killing bacteria and mites living in the oil glands and eyelash follicles. There is no pain with the treatment, but it does tickle as the scrubber moves along the lashes. The best part is that the relief is instant and you leave the office with lighter lids and less of that sticky feeling when you blink. Expect some redness of the lids and the white of the eye immediately after the treatment, which will dissipate within minutes to hours.
How often do I need BlephEx blepharitis treatment?
BlephEx should be performed as an initial treatment once you are diagnosed with blepharitis. Maintenance treatment frequency will depend on how severe your conditions is and how diligent you are with your at-home lid scrubs. The treatment can be performed as frequently as needed throughout the year whenever your symptoms begin to return.
How much does BlephEx cost?
Each BlephEx procedure comes at an out-of-pocket cost of $150 and is not covered by insurance. When you opt for the OptiLight IPL treatment and have an indication for BlephEx, it will be included in that packaged pricing. Read more about the benefits of OptiLight IPL here.
