Lid Scrub Question

[dave25]

I used to do lid scrubs a couple of years ago with baby shampoo, but found that it was doing more harm than good. Right now I do a warm compress and lid massage daily, but do not do lid scrubs anymore. I am considering giving this another shot because although my symptoms have slowly improved throughout the years I still have pain and discomfort everyday. Does anyone have any tips on good techniques to use with lid scrubs so that the contents do not get in your eyes?

Also, I rarely get build up or crusty material on or around my eyelids and they usually feel clean most of the time, so I guess what I'm trying to say is how beneficial have lid scrubs been for anyone who has tried them?

[Rebecca Petris]

I used to do lid scrubs a couple of years ago with baby shampoo, but found that it was doing more harm than good. Right now I do a warm compress and lid massage daily, but do not do lid scrubs anymore. I am considering giving this another shot because although my symptoms have slowly improved throughout the years I still have pain and discomfort everyday. Does anyone have any tips on good techniques to use with lid scrubs so that the contents do not get in your eyes?

Anything you use on the lid margins IS going to find its way into your tear film. My suggestion would be, do not use anything with a detergent in it so that you don't need to worry about whether it gets in your eyes.

I used to use Unisol (plain unpreserved saline) on a Q-tip. Worked fine for me. I now use Ocusoft foam lidscrub in the shower with my fingertips - gently massaging it around the lids - and find that is sufficiently gently to not irritate my eyes.

[calli66]

I started lids scrubs about 3 months ago--following the directions and illustrations in Dr. Latkany's book. I think they've helped significantly. Pressing on the area near the eyelashes seems to improve circulation, "wakes" my eyes up first thing in the morning, and has practically eliminated blepharitis.

But, I would NEVER use baby shampoo, even diluted as part of the process. Seems like that would leave irritating soap residue. I wash my lids and lashes first with the OcuSoft foam (eyes closed), then rinse, then use the Q-tip to press on the lids. Then I use plain warm water on the other end of the Q-tip to wipe the lid next to the eye. Then put in PF tears to rinse.

Before I started, there was a "yellow spot" I could see on the inside of my lower lid---the doctor said it was a plugged gland. That isn't visible anymore---went away.

I think the scrubs/massage is a good thing for people with chronic blepharitis/MGD.

Calli

[dave25]

Thanks Rebecca and Calli. I think I will give Ocusoft a try. I appreciate your help and advice.

[Rory]

Is it fair to say that Ocusoft and Sterild perform two different actions?

Sterilid is much more of an antibacterial scrub ... whilst Ocusoft, clears the debris etc but is much more gentle and not antibacterial?

I have used Sterilid for about 6 weeks and I really like it. It stings a little bit whilst it is on...but it seems to really clean my lids...and my eyes always feel very fresh afterwards. I was noticing markedly improved symptoms a couple of weeks back and I put it down to Sterilid...but who knows as I have been trying so many new things these days including tranquilleyes and supplements and various new eyedrops.

[Rebecca Petris]

Is it fair to say that Ocusoft and Sterild perform two different actions?

Sterilid is much more of an antibacterial scrub ... whilst Ocusoft, clears the debris etc but is much more gentle and not antibacterial?

Ocusoft has 2 different lidscrub product types.

The original formula is for cleansing/clearing debris. That's the one I was referring to in this thread.

The "PLUS" formula (released last year) is an antibacterial.

Both formulas are available in pads and foam.

[dianat]

I'm not at all well-versed in lid scrubbing and have a question.

Though I've never been diagnosed with blepharitis, I have often wondered if there's any use in cleaning my lids. I have no debris, no crusting that I can see, but swear my eyelids are chronically inflamed and am certain MGD is at the root of my problems.

Long ago I tried baby shampoo and water a few times, but found it to be irritating. I was probably being too aggressive, and used to much shampoo.

Is it worth giving it another try?

[dave25]

Dianat, your question sounds similar to mine. I too used baby shampoo to no success, so I think I'm going to try one of the Ocusoft products and see how they work. I also think that I may have been too aggressive with my cleansing when I tried lid scrubs before so maybe this time around I will see the improvement that I am looking for.

Rory, thanks for the advice, I hope to see as much improvement as you have had by doing the lid scrubs. I will also try 2 or 3 different things at a time and if I see improvement I am not 100% sure what did it for me. The best idea I think is to be patient and try new things one at a time so you know what works for you and what doesn't. However, when I'm in a lot of pain I am willing to try almost anything!

[stella]

I have seen a marked sustained improvement for several months now which i put down to eyelid hygiene - only once daily now -at night
I steam for 5 mins, use v diluted baby shampoo( several drops in about 50mls boiled H20) which i rinse off after one minute
Then massage lids and use q tips (as shown in Dr Latkany's book)Then thoroughly rinse each eye with minims artificial tears
Finally - and what brought a 2nd big improvement for me was using a smear of chloramphenicol eye ointment on lid margins and lids - That solved the night problem of eyelids sticking to eyeballs
I am happy to say that i hardly need any drops at the moment - I do still use claramist liposomal spray to the lids every now and then
Most of my symptoms have subsided

[Rebecca Petris]

Though I've never been diagnosed with blepharitis, I have often wondered if there's any use in cleaning my lids. I have no debris, no crusting that I can see, but swear my eyelids are chronically inflamed and am certain MGD is at the root of my problems.

Long ago I tried baby shampoo and water a few times, but found it to be irritating. I was probably being too aggressive, and used to much shampoo.

Is it worth giving it another try?

I think that for some of us the benefit of so-called "scrubbing" is less to do with cleansing than with the manual pressure stimulating the glands.

With your degree of burning, Diana, I would think baby shampoo would be awful. I was very reluctant to try any "lidscrub" products myself. Sterilid backfired on me (though I know many others who have found it beneficial) and it took me awhile to try Ocusoft. What I like best about it is that it makes my lids slippery-smooth in the shower so my quickie lid massages (if they can be called that) are easy and comfortable.

[kuby]

Are eyelid scrubs necessary? I am very new to this and have tried scrubs for 2 days and they hurt! My eyes feel way worse after I use them. I am curious about the Ocusoft foaming cleanser but if I don't need it then I don't want to add another step to my already hectic morning routine!

To those of you who have some experience and have experimented, this is what I am thinking of doing 3-4 times a day until my symptoms subside then I will do just once a day:

1. Warm compress (I love the rice baggy idea, by the way!!)
2. Express oils by rolling with a q-tip
3. Wipe lashline with q-tip
4. Rinse with saline

I've read in one of the forums that saline containing BAK/BAC should be avoided...what is BAK/BAC? I checked the ingredients in my Baush saline solution and it doesn't have BAK but it does have some other sort of preservative. I dont think I'll be able to find a preservative-free one very easily so is it okay to use this one even though it has preservative (but not BAK)?

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what is express rolls with q-tip? please expalin~~