patient care strategies

Rid the Lid of Disease

This lid cleanser is non-toxic and boasts an effective kill rate.

PAUL M. KARPECKI, O.D., F.A.A.O

Patients with posterior blepharitis or meibomian gland disease (MGD) have lower tear lipid layers and will likely see an eventual increase in dry-eye disease.¹

Because blepharitis and MGD are chronic conditions that can be susceptible to bacterial organisms, such as Propionibacterium acnes, these patients require long-term therapy that's non-toxic to the ocular surface and precludes bacterial growth.

I have found that Ocusoft Lid Scrub Plus, from Cynacon/Ocusoft, effectively accomplishes both these tasks.

Non-toxic formulation

When used long-term, many dry-eye treatments cause ocular surface toxicity because they contain detergents and lack a moisturizing agent. This isn't so with OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus.

In fact, in a study conducted by Tox Monitor Laboratories in Oak Park, Ill., Ocusoft Lid Scrubs Plus scored a 1.6/110 on the toxicity (eye-irritation) scale. I believe this is because the product contains a low-level preservative (0.4%, which is high enough to offer antibacterial properties without eye irritation) and a moisturizer.

Further, patients often comment on the comfort of the product, and I've yet to see any sign of skin or eyelid-margin irritation in these patients, including those on long-term therapy. Some patients even use OcuSoft Lid Scrubs Plus off-label as a "leave-on" formula due to its moisturizer and safety profile.

High kill rate

Kill rates are important in eliminating the colonization of bacteria that can lead to further inflammation and congestion of the meibomian, lacrimal and oil glands.²

Ocusoft Lid Scrubs Plus has an effective kill rate for Staphylococcus epidermidis — the most common bacteria associated with blepharitis.³ This bacteria is often found on the skin and in mucous membranes.

In a Time Kill study conducted by Care BioPharma in Mundelein, Ill., Ocusoft Lid Scrub Plus showed a 5.5 log reduction when subjected to S. Epidermis for 60 seconds.

Statistically more effective

The use of eyelid-cleaning solution (ECS) with an antibiotic, or an antibiotic and steroid solution, results in less inflammation than scrubbing with ECS alone.²

I use OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus for all my blepharitis patients. I recommend patients use a hot compress for 10 minutes and follow with the OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus formulation once a day for two weeks. The hot compress expands the pores and oil glands. This doesn't necessarily mean the lids absorb the scrub faster, but the product will at least dissolve the hardened meibum.

The result: Patients generally report improvement in their dry-eye symptoms within days. OM

1. Yokoi N, Mossa F, Tiffany JM, Bron AJ. Assessment of meibomian gland function in dry eye using meibometry. Arch Ophthalmol. 1999 Jun;117(6):723-9.

2. Greiner JV, Leahy CD, Glonek T, et al. Effects of eyelid scrubbing on the lid margin. CLAO J. 1999 Apr;25(2):109-13.

3. Smith RE, Flowers CW Jr. Chronic blepharitis: a review. CLAO J. 1995 Jul;21(3):200-7.

DR. KARPECKI WORKS IN THE CORNEA/EXTERNAL DISEASE AND ADVANCED OCULAR SURFACE DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER AT THE CINCINNATI EYE INSTITUTE.

OcuSoft Lid SCrubs Plus
PACKAGING: 30-count box of pre-moistened pads or a 50mL foam pump dispenser ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: PHMB 0.4%; Symdiol PRESERVATIVES: PHMB 0.4% CONSUMER PRICE: $15.99.