What Is BlephEx®?
There are many dry eye patients that suffer from blepharitis, giving them a life of itchy and burning eyes. This chronic inflammation is due to an overgrowth of normal bacteria living along the eyelid and the base of the eyelashes. This overgrowth causes crusting along the eyelid, or a sticky biofilm that harbors bacterial exotoxins. Throughout time the biofilm has a direct impact on the function of the tear glands, causing dry eyes.
BlephEx is an in office procedure performed to treat blepharitis by eliminating the biofilm and bacterial toxins. By eliminating the biofilm layer, this improves the overall health of the eyelid and allows proper function of the tear glands.
The Symptoms Of Blepharitis
The symptoms of blepharitis can be painful and uncomfortable for a patients day-to-day life. The common symptoms are:
- Dry eyes
- Eye rubbing
Stages Of Blepharitis
Blepharitis usually occurs in 4 stages and over a period of time. The first stage involves the formation of the biofilm and the swelling of the eyelashes in response to it. The second stage causes the inflammation of meibornian glands and that leads to the third stage, the issue of no tear lake. In stage four, there is chronic inflammation of the eye, and a breakdown of the overall eye structure, leading to many eye conditions. They most commonly are ectropion, entropion, and lid laxity.
What Causes Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that forms around the eyelid and can harm the eye. This creates a crusting along the eye area which is both uncomfortable and embarrassing for the individual experiencing it. A biofilm is then build up over the years and needs to be removed to restore eye health. This can lead to chronic inflammation and a multitude of other symptoms.
- overgrowth of bacteria
- biofilm build up
How Does BlephEx® Work?
When performed, BlephEx can reduce or completely eliminate the chronic symptoms of blepharitis. The treatments are done at monthly intervals to make sure the bacteria is diminished. Depending on the severity of the condition, more or less treatments may be needed. The purpose of the procedure is to eliminate the inflammatory etiology of the blepharitis condition. This restores the health of the eyelid. Allowing the patients eye to form its own tears again, and no longer suffering from very eye disease.