If no one has told you about Hypochlorous Acid we can only apologise
Help keep your eyelids healthy using Hypochlorous Acid - nature’s own antimicrobial superstar.
Just like any other area of skin your eyelids and lashes are covered in bacteria, and that is completely normal. These microbes generally present little issue to healthy skin but sometimes the bacteria can become too plentiful, and the toxins they release potentially causing irritation, inflammation and redness. To help keep your eyelids and lashes in good condition and stop bacterial overgrowth you can harness the power of nature’s own biocide – hypochlorous acid (HOCL).
What is hypochlorous acid
Powerful and natural hypochlorous is natures’ own biocide. You can be forgiven if you have never heard of hypochlorous, despite it having been used for a long time in hospitals, particularly for wound healing, but it is still not widely known outside of the hospital environment. It is produced naturally as part of our immune system by special cells called neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in response to infection. Hypochlorous has been shown to be effective at killing a wide range of microorganisms, this includes bacteria, viruses and fungi. You can listen to two doctors talking about hypochlorous here
What is special about hypochlorous acid
Although hypochlorous is routinely used in hospitals it is receiving ever increasing levels of interest when it comes to skin health. This is because it does not result in bacterial resistance build-up and, because it is produced naturally in the body, it is exceptionally biocompatible. This means it very well tolerated and unlikely to cause any irritation or allergic response. In fact it is so gentle it can be used with confidence on the delicate skin around the eyes. A study published in Clinical Ophthalmology showed that cleansing the eye area with hypochlorous reduced the excess bacteria but left much of the naturally occurring bacteria causing less disruption to the natural ocular environment.
How hypochlorous acid works
Hypochlorous works in several different ways. Firstly it disrupts the cell wall of the microbe causing it to leak, and then when inside the cell it disrupts vital functions needed to survive. This method of attack is effective against a wide range of microorganisms.
Lid hygiene is a first-line therapy
If your eye care professional has told you that you have MGD or blepharitis then they will most likely have recommended a thorough programme of deep cleansing and hygiene. But to take that hygiene to a whole new level you can now add a hypochlorous spray which will help protect your eyelids throughout the day.
Eyelid inflammation is also commonly associated with dry eye and other ocular conditions such as glaucoma.
Available in an ultra-pure form – Purifeyes
The Dry Eye Zone is really excited about the potential of hypochlorous and its benefits to sufferers of dry eye and related conditions. Purifeyes solution uses an advanced proprietary ultra-pure form of hypochlorous. Because it is so pure it means it is effective at lower concentrations making it suitable for the delicate area around the eye and eyelid.
Purifyeyes comes in a fine spray which you use on a closed eye without the need for cotton wool or wipes – and you do not need to wipe it off. It is suitable for daily use due to its’ gentle formulation and lack of antimicrobial resistance build-up. Learn more about Purifeyes here
Contact lens wearers can benefit too
If you wear contact lenses then you already know you need to be more careful than most about you put in or around your eyes, in a study 60% of CL wearers were shown to experience eyelid redness and inflammation. As hypochlorous is also contact lens friendly you can use Purifeyes to help sooth this redness and irritation away – without the hassle of having to remove your contact lenses first (remember it is sprayed onto closed eyes).
Not just for eyelids
The skin soothing and conditioning properties of Purifeyes can also be helpful in removing redness from the skin as a result of acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis by killing the microbes responsible for producing irritating toxins.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms then you should ask the advice of your eye care professional. Why not book your next eye examination with an independent optician today.
Sources:
Akl MM. Hypochlorous acid has emerged as a potential alternative
to conventional antibiotics due to its broad- spectrum antimicrobial activity. Int J Clin Microbiol Biochem Technol. 2023; 6: 001-004.
Benitez-Del-Castillo JM. How to promote and preserve eyelid health. Clin Ophthalmol. 2012;6:1689-98. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S33133. Epub 2012 Oct 25. PMID: 23118519; PMCID: PMC3484726.
Geerling G, Tauber J, Baudouin C, Goto E, Matsumoto Y, O'Brien T, Rolando M, Tsubota K, Nichols KK. The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: report of the subcommittee on management and treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Mar 30;52(4):2050-64. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-6997g. PMID: 21450919; PMCID: PMC3072163.
Stroman DW, Mintun K, Epstein AB, Brimer CM, Patel CR, Branch JD, Najafi-Tagol K. Reduction in bacterial load using hypochlorous acid hygiene solution on ocular skin. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017 Apr 13;11:707-714. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S132851. PMID: 28458509; PMCID: PMC5402722.
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