I-LID ’N LASH®: Better hygiene for healthy eyes

Have you ever woken up with crusty eyelids and clumped-up lashes? Do you often have itchy, red, or dry eyes, or a feeling of grittiness under your eyelids? Do you sometimes get styes or conjunctivitis? All these problems may be greatly relieved with a daily ocular hygiene regimen.

What is daily ocular hygiene?

Daily ocular hygiene helps keep our eyes well-lubricated, and our eyelids and eyelashes free of debris. Incorporating a daily ocular hygiene routine is one of the best ways to help manage dry eye disease and allergy symptoms, as well as prevent infections and irritation. Daily ocular hygiene is also recommended to enhance the effectiveness of artificial tears.Why daily ocular hygiene?

Eyelids and eyelashes protect our eyes by trapping dust, debris, toxins, and other particles, and preventing them from getting into our eyes. However, without daily ocular hygiene, these particles can accumulate and irritate our eyes, causing dry eye, discomfort, grittiness, inflamed eyelids, itchiness, and pain.

Like daily dental hygiene, eyelid hygiene should be incorporated everyday, morning and night. This helps break the dry eye cycle and keeps inflammation at bay. It also reduces the chances of developing some of the conditions detailed below.

What are some conditions that can be relieved by daily ocular hygiene?

Meibomian gland disease (MGD) occurs due to a blockage or some other abnormality of the meibomian glands in the eyelid. When these glands do not secrete enough oil onto the surface of the eye, the tears evaporate too quickly, causing dry eyes. A consistent eyelid and eyelash hygiene regimen can help avoid these glands becoming clogged.

Blepharitis is a condition where the eyelids become inflamed, red, sore and crusty. It can often be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria on the eyelid, leading to worsening of dry eye symptoms. Diligent ocular hygiene can help prevent blepharitis by keeping the eyelids clean, hydrated, and free of bacteria.

Seasonal allergies can cause itchy, irritated, and watery eyes.  These allergens can get caught between the eyelashes and cause inflammation. Cleaning the eyelashes daily can help remove these allergens, and therefore help relieve these symptoms.

Eyelash extensions can cause allergic reactions, inflammation, styes, and infections in the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. A daily cleansing of the eyelash extensions, using a water-based cleanser, can help avoid bacterial growth and keep the lashes looking beautiful.

Demodex mites can infest eyelashes and live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands on our eyelids. An ocular hygiene routine that incorporates using a product containing tea tree oil is often considered to be an effective solution to fight these mites.

What products are available?

The I-LID ’N LASH^® Ocular Hygiene line (available in our participating OPTOPLUS clinics) is designed for various cleansing needs and is uniquely formulated with sodium hyaluronate, which is effective yet gentle on the eyes.

I-LID ’N LASH^® is a gentle, water-based cleanser that removes ocular debris and makeup while enhancing the effectiveness of artificial tears. Used daily, I-LID ’N LASH^® is effective in maintaining lid and lash health for people with dry eyes or sensitive skin. It’s also paraben free! It is available in both an economical 50 mL metered dose pump and convenient, easy to use pre-soaked wipes.

I-LID ’N LASH^® PLUS is a lid and lash cleanser formulated with 5% tea tree oil and is recommended for patients requiring deeper cleansing. Tea tree oil is found in many topical formulations to cleanse cutaneous infections. It is also available in pre-soaked wipes.

I-LID ’N LASH^® PRO is a hydrating cleansing gel with 20% tea tree oil for professional use only. Its stronger formulation works to remove ocular debris on lids and lashes requiring more intensive professional cleansing, while hydrating and soothing the skin and enhancing dry eye management regimens. It is available in a 50 mL metered dose pump.

Book an appointment with the OPTOPLUS clinic closest to your home to ensure impeccable ocular hygiene and get the I-LID 'N LASH® product adapted to your needs!

Click here to view the list of OPTOPLUS clinics offering the I-LID 'N LASH® product line.