BlephEx

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BlephEx

Initially I was sceptical about the benefits of using Blephex, however after visiting a colleague who uses it, I was immediately convinced that I needed to have one.

Like many practitioners I see many blepharitis patients where routine conventional treatment plans have not worked as they had hoped. One of the main problems is compliance – taking the time to adhere to applying heat therapy and using lid wipes despite continual prompting about the benefits of regular use it frequently feels monotonous and non-productive.

We are very impatient. The answer is Blephex.

Beating Blepharitis

Blepharitis is one of the most common disease we see in practice. Most people have it and it becomes more prevalent as we get older.

The lid margins appear red and the lashes crusted. Posterior to this the glands on the lid margin become blocked, which adds to the irritation and destabilises the tear film.

Symptoms
  • Itchy or scratchy eyes
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Tearing
  • Crusting
  • Redness/inflammation
  • Build up of bio matter around the lashes
Clinical application of Blephex

Debris on the ocular surface is not being cleaned away by tears, and as the lids blink they pick up the debris, which eventually builds up into a lid-film covering the meibomian glands which are on the rim of the lid. This bio-film often contains bacteria and demodex, causes inflammation and further inhibition of the flow of the oils from the glands. If these are left blocked for prolonged periods, the glands can atrophy and become ineffective.

Removal of this film is where Blephex comes in, It’s like an electric toothbrush for your eyelids!

A lightly absorbent disposable sponge is soaked in solution and attached to the handheld Blephex device. The spinning mechanism attacks the bio-film and removes debris as it slowly moves along the lids.

The whole process lasts around 10 minutes. Patients say its like a tickling sensation and not uncomfortable.

We visit the hygienist at the dentist at regular intervals to remove plague, similarly patients with blepharitis will benefit from a regular appointment to exfoliate their eyelids.

The people who would be most suitable for Blephex are contact lens wearers, those affected by dry eye and office workers. School children and students are exhibiting problems in rapidly increasing numbers due to excessive use on electronical devices and not blinking enough.

Blephex is an important tool in combating blepharitis, however it needs to be supported by heat masks, lid wipes and ocular lubricants to obtain the most satisfying results.

Patients no longer need to suffer the constant irritation and fluctuations in vision caused by untreated dry eye issues – if you are affected by some of the symptoms mentioned above give us a call as I’m sure we can help you.

Blepharitis

Anterior Blepharitis - can be caused by bacteria and scalp dandruff from the lashes. Posterior blepharitis MGD (Meibomian Gland Disfunction) is caused by problems/blockage of the Meibomian glands on the lid rim which affects the discharge of the essential oily film which is necessary to protect the tear layer

Dry Eye Assessment; One of the treatments provided in our Dry Eye Programme is Blephex. This Award Winning process is the only proven method of successfully treating Blepharitis which is a significant contributor to tear film instability and consequently Dry Eye. Over time a bio-film develops on the lids which blocks the oily secretions from the Meibomian Glands allowing bacteria to exist and cause further complications. A soft medical grade sponge is gently moved across the lids while it spins to effectively remove debris and bacteria that build up and cause blockage of the glands on the eyelids. Our lids and lashes are the only part of the body that doesn’t get washed and the process is like a scaling treatment at the Dentist.

Check out the video on Blephex:
http://www.blephexlids.co.uk/