New wand that’s a sight for sore eyes

A‘DEEP-clean’ procedure for chronic eyelid infections is being offered at British clinics, giving new hope to thousands of sufferers.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids and base of the eyelashes. It is often caused by a bacterial infection linked to the skin conditions seborrhoeic dermatitis and rosacea.

The new treatment uses a device resembling an electric screwdriver with a sponge the size of a cotton bud spinning at one end.

An eye-care specialist holds the BlephEx wand against the inside of the eyelid and it gently cleans away bacteria and debris thought to exacerbate symptoms. Along with swelling, these include pain, a build-up of flaky crusts in the eyelashes, sensitivity to light, and itchy and sore eyes.

Blepharitis is more common in older people. Previously, acute infections would be treated with prescription or over-the-counter antibiot- ics and kept at bay with a regime of daily eyelid-cleaning and hot compresses. This relies on the patient’s diligence, and many suffer recurring problems.

The new treatment takes six to eight minutes, with patients describing a tickling sensation. Afterwards, the eye is cleansed and instructions handed to the patient for a daily washing routine.

As blepharitis is in many cases a chronic condition, the treatment is repeated every four to six months.

Optometrist Sarah Farrant, managing director of Earlam and Christopher eyespecialist clinic in Taunton, Somerset, said: ‘Blepharitis is massively common and as people get older, they suffer it more frequently. Before BlephEx, there were only so many things optometrists could actively do, and most revolve around patients cleaning their eyelids themselves on a regular basis.

‘Now, we’re in a much better position to do it professionally. While it’s not a cure – there isn’t one for blepharitis – there is no evidence of any detrimental effects and it is a well tolerated and safe procedure.’

Studies suggest patients experience at least a 50 per cent reduction in symptoms, lasting up to six months.

Joy Newey, 67, from Ham, near Taunton in Somerset, had suffered from blepharitis for months before being referred to Ms Farrant and treated with BlephEx.

She says: ‘Before I had my treatment, I had eight months of pure horror. I would have watery eyes all the time, and first thing in the morning they would be crusty and stuck together.’

She had her first BlephEx treatment in September last year. ‘It just goes over the top and bottom lashes and tickles a bit,’ she says.

‘I have had two treatments since then – in March and September this year – and my blepharitis is gone.’