Blepharitis - looking for tips on how to clean upper lids better

[dijon84]

Hi

I've been treating blepharitis by doing the usual warm compresses then lid cleaning with baby shampoo for several months. For the cleaning, I had been using cotton bads dipped in a solution of baby shampoo and cooled boiled water (1 parts to 10). The ophthamologist I saw said that it might be more helpful to use a higher concentration of baby shampoo and to use cotton buds to apply the mixture - cotton buds give you more control to apply right to the bases of the lashes. He also said it needs to be left on for a bit to clean away the greasiness - the analogy he used was that for washing greasy dishes, you need to leave them to soak for a bit.

I've applied this technique for the lower lids and it seems to be helping as my lower lids and lashes look relatively normal now. However, when I tried this tip for the upper lids and lashes, I kept getting baby shampoo in my eye (no matter if I had the eyes closed or open). Getting baby shampoo in my eye made things worse for a few days. So I had to go back to the previous technique for the upper lids.

I think I need to clean the upper lids and lases better though. The bases of the upper lashes are all white. I can't tell if this is just de-pigmentation of the hairs or if these are the greasy scales that I need to clean away.

Any tips on using the baby shampoo without getting it in my eyes? I've heard other people use bicarbonate of soda and water - would that be a better alternative?

Thanks
Dave

[irish eyes]

Dave

If you are using artifical tears, then the white marks could be residue. Where possible, I rinse my eyes immediately after instilling drops so the lid margins are kept as clean as possible.

I don't use baby shampoo at all because my eyes are so sensitive. The NHS recommend baby shampoo as a matter of course; it's fine if it doesn't bother you but for many of us, it's too harsh. I have used bicarbonate of soda and warm water - that is OK.

Since I started using Blephasol for sensitive eyes, my consultant thinks the lids are looking better. I apply it to the base of the lashes and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. I use a magnifying mirror and get up as close as possible to the eyelashes. I've tried using a number of other lid `scrubs' but they tend to be too harsh and drying.

It could be the case that you have some loss of pigment to the lashes; I have that also.

[Súil Eile]

I use cotton buds too, and I aim for just above the base of my lashes instead of right on the lashline (if that makes sense). Means I don't tend to stick it in my eye as much!

Blephasol is great, but I've been having a hard time sourcing it at a reasonable price. So I've been using Supranette wipes. I roll them up and use the in the same way as a cotton bud. I don't have to rinse with the Supranettes, so I get less stuff in my eye. They're also fantastic for travelling, and the only thing other than Blephasol that donesn't seem to irritate my eyes.

I think care, practice, and a mirror are the best way to get used to using buds. Also don't soak them too much...I sometimes get shampoo dribbling all down my face!

[dijon84]

Hi
Thanks for your replies. I've ordered Blephasol off the web so hopefully it will give better results for the upper lashes. I had thought previously that I may need a better mirror (as I couldn't tell if the bases of my lashes were de-pigmented or had crusting). So I've ordered a 10x magnifying mirror too.
Yes, not soaking the cotton buds too much would probably help with the upper lashes. I think I might give warm water and bicarb of soda a try too.
So a few things to try, will report back how I get on.
Cheers!
Dave

[MaryVa61]

I couldn't do upper eye scrubs like that either. And my dermatologist warned me not to use Johnson's Baby Shampoo because it contains formaldehyde (under a synonym), which I tested as allergic to. I experimented with products and application and finally had success.

I wet a cotton swab with sterile saline or Unisol, then put a bit of Occusoft foaming eyelid cleanser on it, wait a moment, shake off the excess foam, and use the swab do the scrubs. It's worked really well for me.

I tried various cotton swabs until determining Q-tips are wound the tightest and don't leave threads in my eyes.