How to Clean Anterior Blepharitis Eyelid Debris
Click above to watch my tutorial
Have you been diagnosed with anterior blepharitis and looking for an easy way to clean it?
When it comes to anterior blepharitis, cleaning can really be a challenge because the debris is really stuck in between the eyelashes and on that eyelid margin thanks to sticky epithelial cells, sebum, mucin and other proteins that your eyelid glands and tears produce. I call this eyelid cement!
So not only is that debris cement-like and stubborn, it's also physically trapped in between your eyelashes. I guess here, the eyelashes are doing it's anatomical job - to trap debris.
When you start cleansing, you always - always - always want to concentrate at the base of that eyelash. Here, always utilize a 10X lighted magnifying mirror for best optics. If you cannot see it, you will not be able to remove it.
First saturate In Between Eyelash Cleansing Brush with your We Love Eyes cleansing spray of choice. Currently we have CALM Eyelid & Eyelash Cleansing Spray in stock.
BROAD STROKES TECHNIQUE
You want to insert the brush into the base of that eyelash and pull up and out through the eyelash. Repeat this step until you've finished that eyelash line. There are 4 eyelash lines, so the first time you do this, it could take 30 minutes for each eye. Don't worry, it gets less time consuming the more you practice and the more debris is consistently removed. This technique is really ideal for eyelashes with moderate to severe demodex collarettes.
STOKING TECHNIQUE
Click above to watch my tutorial
Here you want to insert the cleansing brush into the base of the eyelash and with tiny movements up and down - gently stoke out the debris. Here the motion is very much a tap-tap-tap to loosen those anterior blepharitis flakes. One those flakes are loosened, they are so much easier to just wash away.
How many times should you do this? In general . . . For mild cases, once a day before bedtime for one week, then as needed. For moderate cases, one to two times a day for 1-2 weeks then taper slowly down to as needed. For severe cases, twice a day for 2-4 weeks then daily.
Love + Healthy Eyes,
Dr. Tanya Gill, OD