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What Is BlephEx Treatment for Blepharitis?

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A young man with a red, swollen eyelid that could be caused by blepharitis.

If you’re experiencing redness and irritation in your eyelids, you may be dealing with a condition called blepharitis. This condition affects many people, but fortunately, there’s a treatment option available called BlephEx.

BlephEx involves using a small medical device to exfoliate your eyelids by removing debris and bacteria buildup. This treatment can be performed by your optometrist in-office and may need to be repeated later, depending on the severity of the condition. 

It’s best to speak with your optometrist during your next comprehensive eye exam so they can help tailor a treatment plan that suits your needs and let you know if BlephEx is the right choice for you.

What Is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a common eye condition that occurs when the eyelids become irritated or inflamed. It’s often caused by a bacterial buildup or a malfunction in the tiny oil glands at the base of your eyelashes, but possible causes also include:

  • Allergies
  • Skin conditions
  • Mites

While the symptoms of this condition vary from person to person, they often include:

  • Redness or irritation in the eyelids
  • Swelling
  • Dry eye syndrome
  • Crusty or sticky eyelids

There are two types of blepharitis: anterior and posterior. Anterior blepharitis affects the outside edge of the eyelid where the eyelashes attach, while posterior blepharitis occurs inside the eyelid in the oil glands. In some cases, a person can experience both types at the same time. This condition is often chronic, meaning it can last for quite some time or even return after symptoms go away.

Fortunately, there is an easy treatment option available: BlephEx.

An optometrist talking to her patient about BlephEx and its benefits.

What Is BlephEx?

Blephex is a procedure that uses a small handheld medical device to clean and exfoliate your eyelids. This device gently rotates a medical-grade cleaning sponge on the edge of your eyelid to clean debris and bacteria while exfoliating your skin. It’s designed to be painless and gentle on the delicate skin of your eyelid.

This treatment typically only takes a few minutes to perform and is completely non-invasive. After it’s performed, you may experience some slight side effects, discomfort, or irritation on your eyelid, but this typically goes away within a day or two.

It’s often used in combination with additional home treatments, like regularly using a warm compress on your eyes, antibiotics, and eye scrubs to ensure your eyes stay healthy and clean. The treatment may need to be repeated several times, depending on the severity of the condition. 

Is BlephEx Safe?

This procedure is considered quite safe and is routinely performed. The sponge is medical-grade and designed to be soft on the skin, and the device is designed to be safe for use around the eyes. The procedure itself is performed by a trained doctor, optometrist, or technician under supervision. 

BlephEx can be an effective treatment when it comes to dealing with blepharitis. However, you may experience some small side effects depending on the severity of your condition. These could include:

  • Eye irritation
  • Redness or inflammation in the eye
  • Discomfort
  • Dry eyes

Once the procedure is done, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations to ensure your risk of developing any of these side effects is kept to a minimum. Overall, there are very few risks associated with BlephEx. 

It’s important to speak with your optometrist during your next comprehensive eye exam if you’re considering BlephEx as a solution for your blepharitis. They’ll be able to assess your eyes and determine if BlephEx is the right choice for you. Schedule an appointment with us here at San Clemente Optometry today to speak with a caring professional about the potential of BlephEx!

Written by Total Vision

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