Treatment for Dry Eye and Blepharitis
Client Feedback
"Miss Khan is the third opthamologist I've seen about my blepharitis and by far the best one. I was feeling very anxious as I had limited vision in one eye but after a few consultations she has put me at ease on how to manage my condition. I now feel more confident in what to do when I experience repeated episodes. She is patient and thorough and has taken an active interest in monitoring my progress. Sharmina is a pair of safe hands you can rely on"
By a verified patient on Doctify 12-Jan-2021
Do you have symptoms of dry eye and blepharitis?
Watery eyes
Dandruff around the eyelids
Light sensitivity
Fluctuations in vision
Sore, red, inflamed eyelids
Contact lens discomfort
Eyelids that are difficult to open in the morning
Burning or gritty sensation in the eyes
Quality of life
- Chronic dry eye results in a significant drop in QOL – on a par with angina (Schiffman et al 2003)
- Depression and anxiety 1.5 x more prevalent in patients suffering with Blepharitis (Chaing et al 2013)
- Dry eye linked to poor visual performance whilst driving (Deschamps et al 2013)
- Dry eye reduces productivity at work (Yamada et al 2012)
How does the tear film work?
Blinking spreads the tear film across the eye surface.
The aqueous layer and mucus layer create a lubricated environment so the lids aquaplane over the cornea and conjunctiva.
The tear film nourishes the ocular surface.
MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION
The lipid layer of tear film is produced by meibomian glands.
Blinking forces the lipid out onto the ocular surface.
However, these glands can become blocked.
Lipiscan imaging assesses the integrity of the meibomian glands.
TYPES OF DRY EYE
AQUEOUS DEFICIENT -EVAPORATIVE - COMBINATION
Aqueous deficient dry eye, means a lack of the aqueous tear layer.
Evaporative dry eye means the tear film is evaporates too quickly, due to lack of lipid layer.
Many people have a combination of both the above.
Treating Dry Eye and Blepharitis at Home
Heat
Cleanse
Hydrate
Cleanse
Cleansing your eyelids daily removes debris, bacteria, oils, inflammatory biofilm that can deposit on the lid margins.
At home- there are many lid wipes that can be bought over the counter to clean along the lid margins.
In clinic- Blephex is employed to exfoliate the lid margins precisely and carefully, using a medical grade micro-sponge.
Heat
At home- apply a heated eye mask over closed eyes for 10 minutes, unblocks pores along the lid margin like melting butter in a pan.
Apply firm fingertip pressure along the lid margin to unblock the pores along the lid margin.
In clinic- we offer Lipiflow- Vector thermal pulsation deeply unblocks meibomian glands.
Hydrate
Sharmina will rationalise your artificial tear drops use.
Modify Behaviour & Environment
- Reduce prolonged contact lens wear
- Reduce prolonged computer/video display use
- Reduce chronic exposure to low humidity environment
- Blinking matters
- Improve diet- increase omega- 3 and vitamin D intake
