What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is often described as a chronic, inflammatory disease of the eyelids. It is caused by excess growths of bacteria which normally live on your eyelid and eyelashes. Blepharitis can be experienced at any age and is more commonly found with increased age.
A biofilm is made by the bacterial growth that traps debris along the eyelashes and creates a place for bacterial exotoxins to flourish. These exotoxins enter eyelid tissue and cause inflammation. This in turn slows down tear production in the team glands. A decrease in tears allows even more bacterial growth and the problem compounds to cause more irritation and dry eye conditions.

What are the Symptoms of Blepharitis?

A few typical symptoms include:

• itchy, sore and red eyelids that stick together
• crusty or greasy eyelashes
• a burning, gritty sensation in your eyes
• increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• swollen eyelid margins
• wearing contact lenses become unbearable
• abnormal eyelash growth or loss of eyelashes in severe cases

What can be done to treat blepharitis?
BlephEX

When properly performed, BlephEX reduces and alleviates uncomfortable blepharitis symptoms. The treatment is repeated at regular intervals depending on the severity of the condition. By eliminating the root cause of blepharitis, the overall health of the eyelid will be significantly improved and will allow you to produce more tears and enjoy life without the chronic and irritating symptoms associated with blepharitis.

How Does BlephEX Work?

BlephEX is a painless in-office procedure performed by our doctors at Golden Eyes Optometry. It works by removing excess bacteria and toxins that live along the lash margin that cause inflammation and eyelid disease. The BlephEX handpiece precisely and carefully spins a medical-grade disposable micro-sponge along the edge of your eyelids and lashes, discarding any debris and exfoliating your eyelids. A micro-sponge is used for each eye individually, so as not to spread bacteria between the eyelids. The procedure takes about 6-8 minutes to complete and is well-tolerated by the patient. Numbing drops are placed in the eyes prior to treatment for increased comfort. After the procedure, the patient will be instructed on ways to maintain clean eyelids by following nightly eyelid hygiene.

How Many Times Must BlephEX Be Performed?

The eyelids require a regular hygiene practice to prevent blepharitis and dry eye disease from recurring. It is recommended that BlephEX be administered every 4 – 6 months in order to keep bacteria to a minimum and to prevent the biofilm from developing again. Once the treatments are stopped, the biofilm will typically redevelop, leading to inflammation and damaged tear glands all over again.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of BlephEX?

BlephEX is a relatively new treatment for dry eyes and is not typically covered by insurance, though you can certainly try to submit it. Even when paying privately, it is still less costly than a years’ worth of eye drops, artificial tears, ointments, and so on.

How Soon Will I Notice a Difference?

Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, patients tend to feel a difference right after the treatment. However, if you’ve experienced significant damage to your tear glands due to blepharitis, it may take several months before observing any changes in your condition. Certain people may require multiple treatments before they begin to heal. Nightly hygiene and repeat treatments will treat, cure and prevent a recurrence.

Does BlephEX Have Any Side Effects?

 There will only be positive effects following the treatment. You will have removed years, if not decades, of biofilm from your eyelids and will be able to comfortably blink without having your eyelids feel sticky. 

References

Reference:​ 
Connor CG, Choat C, Narayanan S, Kyser K, Rosenberg B, Mulder D. Clinical Effectiveness of Lid Debridement with BlephEx Treatment. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2015;56(7):4440–4440. [Google Scholar]
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Connor CG, Narayanan S, Miller W. Reduction in inflammatory marker matrix metalloproteinase-9 following lid debridement with BlephEx. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2017;58(8):498–498. [Google Scholar]