Dry eye synddrome is a common condition that is on the rise due to the increased screen time in today’s world. Dry eyes greatly affect both the clarity and comfort of your vision and can ultimately worsen your quality of life. There are many new advanced treatments that we can now use to help treat dry eyes but none of them are fully effective without proper eye and eyelid hygiene. We call this eyegiene.
Eyegiene refers to keeping your eyelids, eyelid margins and lashes clean and free of bacteria, demodex mites and other debris (such as makeup). These various organisms and debris leads to inflammation of the eyelid tissues and blood vessels which can cause irritation and lead to dry eyes. Keeping your lids and lashes free of bacteria and mites helps keep your dry eye symptoms under control or stop them before they appear.
Products such as hypochlorous acid have potent antibacterial action without causing harm to the ocular surface. Studies have show that dry eye patients using hypochlorous acid (a natural, biocompatible compound) reported a decrease in dry eye symptoms. BIHOCL is a hydrochlorous acid spray that focuses on dry eye symptom relief. BIHOCL (https://waterdownoptometric.sightlyapps.com/bihocl-hypochlorous-spray-110) reduces the bacterial load around the eyes, reducing inflammation and thus improving comfort and hydration of the eye. It comes in a spray bottle that is easy to use and doesn’t even need to be rinsed off after use. It is safe and easy to use for all ages.
Additionally, Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST) is an in office treatment performed by our ocular hygienists that helps treat dry eye, demodex mites and blepharitis (a crusting of the eyelashes similar to dandruff). ZEST is a lid cleaning system using a natural okra-based gel. It is a quick and painless treatment that brings immediate relief to symptoms of irritation and dry eyes. ZEST is effective at instantly reducing eyelash debris and inflammation.
A great start to relieving dry eye symptoms begins with proper eyegiene. Please inquire about these products and services at your next eye exam.
Lyndsey Kay, OD, MSc, OD
