The eyes are stressed daily by the environment, contact lenses, makeup, false eyelashes, the use of electronic devices, and certain pharmaceutical treatments, while at the same time, inflammatory involvement of the eyes is often present in several facial skin diseases.
The health of the eyelids & eyelashes is crucial to the quality of our vision and life.
Η φλεγμονή στα βλέφαρα και τις βλεφαρίδες, γνωστή ως βλεφαρίτιδα, χαρακτηρίζεται από τα ακόλουθα συμπτώματα, αδιαμφισβήτητα επιβαρύνοντας την ποιότητα ζωής
- swollen-fatty eyelids,
- red, irritated eyelid margin,
- dandruff-like peeling on the eyelids,
- intense snoring upon waking in the morning,
- dirty-greasy secretions on the eyelashes,
- problematic, weak eyelashes (trichiasis)
- loss of eyelashes (lash atrophy)
- red eyes
- feeling of sand, foreign body (dry eye)
- sensitivity to light
- blurry vision
- contact lens intolerance leading to discontinuation of their use
Image: The effects of eyelid inflammation are evident in the eyes
Συχνές αιτίες της φλεγμονής των βλεφάρων/βλεφαρίδων είναι :
- poor hygiene
- uncontrolled bacterial growth (usually staphylococci)
- the growth of mites (Demodex)
- Dermatitis
- anti-glaucoma treatments
- use of contact lenses
Image: Blepharitis can lead to increased deposits on contact lenses and consequently increased discomfort
DEMODEX MITE & CONTACT LENSES
Contact lens wearers often have increased colonies of Demodex mites on their eyelids. Due to the effect of Demodex on the normal ocular flora or on the health of the eyelid, contact lens wear may provide a more favorable environment for the proliferation of Demodex mites.
Image: Demodex mites cause eyelid inflammation and dry eyes
It has been found that Blepharitis provides a favorable environment for Demodex infestation and is associated with colonization of the eyelid margins by microorganisms such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Corynebacteria and Staphylococcus aureus. The same microorganisms have been found to be more common and grow more easily in contact lens wearers. It is speculated that a contact lens may provide a more favorable environment for bacterial growth and act as a carrier for microorganisms, which may lead to further Demodex infestation.
Eyelid hygiene is dynamically entering the center of our lives.
Due to epidemiological statistics that highlight the high frequency of blepharitis in the general population, combined with the high rates of ocular discomfort as mentioned earlier, the need for eyelid hygiene is recommended to all of us as a daily hygiene habit. This need is even more imperative for contact lens users.
Images: Ophthalmogen EYE10 disposable self-heating compresses are the evolution of the traditional eye compress
If eyelid/eyelash hygiene is not incorporated into the lives of contact lens users from the beginning, there is a risk of inflammation in the eyelid area (with symptoms of blepharitis/dry eye and gradual intolerance to contact lenses) which may remain undiagnosed for a long time and lead, on the one hand, to the well-known Contact Lens Drop Out, and on the other hand, to the very serious risk of infectious keratitis.
For this reason, eyelid hygiene should be part of the life of every user, from the very first days of their introduction to the world of contact lenses, always under the close guidance and supervision of an experienced optician/optometrist. The close relationship between optician and client will contribute to the prevention and as rapid as possible suppression of symptoms once they appear.
Image: Gel for massaging swollen eyelids
Image:Spray for swollen eyelids & problematic eyelashes
Υγιεινή Βλεφάρων – Το πιο κρίσιμο βήμα
The ocular symptoms of contact lens wearers can be treated in the first phase with: the use of innovative self-heating compresses Ophthalmogen Eye10 40°C which are the evolution of classic thermotherapy and help open the Meibomian glands, cleansing with Naviblef foam and lukewarm water, daily eyelid massage with Ophthalmogen Eyelids Gel for Demodex control & inflammation reduction, and lash line enhancement with Ophthalmogen Eyelids & Eyelashes Spray which relieves irritation and supports the ocular microbiome. Artificial tears contribute to relief, but do not treat the cause. The essence is: opening the glands + anti-Demodex + proper daily hygiene.
Image: Ophthalmogen eyelid hygiene contributes to the opening of blocked lipid glands, improved comfort and lengthening of the contact lens residence time on the ocular surface, due to the control of eyelid inflammation and the stabilization of the tear film.
The main goal in any case is to achieve control of the bacterial and mite load on the eyelids, open the potentially blocked meibomian glands and increase the flow of lipids from the eyelids to the tear surface, results which will bring significant ocular relief, comfort and improvement in quality of life and vision.
For more advice, diagnoses and treatments for your eye and visual diseases, please contact us at tel: 210.8001170 or at info@karabatsas.gr.
Dr. Konstantinos Karabatsas MD, PhD, FEBO, MRCOphth, FRCS, FWCRS Ophthalmologist-Doctor, University of Bristol, UK, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences (Department of Optics-Optometry), University of West Attica (P.A.D.A.) www.karabatsas.gr
