Blephex

Our optometrists can use the BlephEx procedure to give your eyelids an advanced exfoliation for clean, clear, refreshed comfortable eyes.

You may benefit from the Blephex procedure if you:

• Have red, itchy or uncormfortable eyes
• Have red itchy, eyelids
• Wear contact lenses
• Are prone to dry, or watery eyes
• Are considering eye surgery
• Suffer from Blepharitis or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

The BlephEx instrument was designed to reduce eyelid inflammation and bacteria and debris that can build up on eyelid margins. The BlephEx instrument consists of a highly absorbant disposable micro-sponge soaked in ocusoft plus eyelid cleaning solution then spun along the eyelids. The lids are cleaned both anteriorly and posteriorly and rinsed afterwards.

The procedure lasts approximately 10 minutes.

A numbing drop is applied to the eyes prior to treatment for increased comfort. Most patients tolerate the procedure well and report only a slight tickling sensation.

Any patients with insufficient tear film may be prone to a build-up of bio film along the eyelids.  Debris on the eyes is not being cleaned away by the tears, as the eyelids blink across the surface they pick up debris, this eventually can develop into a biofilm covering the surface of the meibomian gland heads. This biofilm can harbour bacteria and demodex, causing inflammation of the Meibomian glands and further reducing the flow of oil from the Meibomian glands. If the Meibomian glands remain blocked for a prolonged period, atrophy can lead the Meibomian glands ineffective.

Therefore an effective method of removing this bio-film is essential and conventional lid wipes are not the solution.

This bio-film covering the posterior lid margin is more likely to be prevalent in the following patients:

• Dry Eye Sufferers
• Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfuction
• Patients with Blepharitis
• Dry Eye Patients

The BlephEx treatment is often followed with a lid hygiene care plan, including heat therapy, occusoft wipes or solution to manage any bio-film and bacteria build-up for as long as possible. For many patients a high quality therapeutic level of Omega 3 supplements such as Omega Eye may be recommended to reduce inflammation of the lid margins and enhance the production capabilities of the Meibomian Glands.

Blephex website http://www.blephexlids.co.uk/