Ailment: Blepharitis (red eyelid margins)

Remedy: Antibacterial cleaner

You can buy proprietary eyelid cleaners over the counter. They come in a small can with a press top. Shake the can and press the top to get a small handful of foam. Gently use clean fingers to rub the foam into the edges of the eyelids when you are in the shower. Leave for a minute before rinsing off. These cleaners have anti-bacterial and sometimes anti-fungal properties. Unfortunately they usually contain a long list of chemical ingredients.

Comment posted by Linda of Kansas City, MO, USA on 12 October 2013 at 5:46       1459

YES
There is a new treatment out there called Blephex. My eye doctor cleaned my eyelids and lashes with a handheld spinning device. I was very skeptical at first but it really works, I felt an immediate relief. He dipped the instrument in a solution that included macadamia oil which is suppose to be less irritating to the eye than the tea tree oil. I will be coming back every 6 months to repeat the blephex procedure in order to to stay free from demodex infestation.

Comment posted by David of Perth, WA, Australia on 30 March 2010 at 22:54       20

I tried a container of proprietary eyelid cleaner. Used it every day or two, and it lasted a couple of months. It was quite effective at cleaning, and there was a very slight improvement in the redness of my eyes. However, I was worried about the list of chemicals in the ingredients on the can.