Why eye hygiene is required for contact lens wearers…

Contact lens wearers need to take the proper care both of their lenses and hygiene of eyes. The lenses are in direct contact with the eyes and if they are not maintained/cleaned well then you can suffer from eye infections. The CDC reports that people do not seem to understand the risk that they take by not taking the prescribed care for their lenses.

Contacts are delicate optical aids, which provide effective and safe vision correction. Many people use them for cosmetic purposes as well. Whatever the purpose of use, the need for proper methods of wearing, cleaning, storing and disinfecting contact lenses is same for all. Otherwise, you may suffer from infection or inflammation which can be quite painful and disrupt your daily routine.

Not only that, but you must take particular care of your eye hygiene if you wear contact lenses regularly. The lenses are in direct contact with the eyeballs, and if any infection due to lack of eye hygiene occurs, then you will suffer immense discomfort, tearing, inflammation and make endless trips to the doctor.

Here are a few simple ways in which you can care for your lenses, as well as your eyes so that you can wear your lenses with comfort:

Wash hands

Every time you remove or put in the lens, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of the germs, dust etc. on your hands. Always dry your hands before touching the contacts as water should not touch the lenses.

Use eyelid wipes/soft eyelid cleansers

One of the best things you can do for your eye health is to clean them with eyelid wipes or soft eyelid cleansers to remove any lurking dust, parasites, or germs. Do this twice a day, before putting in your contacts and after taking them off. Eye infections such as blepharitis can be prevented by a daily eye cleaning routine, preferably with eye friendly products containing Tea Tree Oil and without alcohol or parabens and other harmful chemicals.

People who wear contacts must take eye hygiene seriously or else the infection could be aggravated when they wear the lens.

Clean lenses with multipurpose solution

Use the doctor prescribed multi-purpose solution to clean the lenses. Put the contacts on your palm and moisten the lens with a little of the multi-purpose solution. These solutions are also known as ‘no rub’ solutions, meaning you do not have to rub the lenses with the solutions.

Put in the lenses

Using a saline drop in each of the lenses, put them in the eye. This step will ensure the contacts will be clean of all dust and debris and will not cause discomfort or infection in the eyes.

Change the solution in the case

Before removing the lenses, first replace the solution in the case. Topping up the solution is a strict no-no. Never mix the fresh solution with used or old solution.

Remove lenses after washing hands

Wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water and then remove the contacts gently. Place them in the case which has fresh solution.

Lubricate the eyes

Use the doctor prescribed eye lubricant after you remove the lenses before sleeping at night. This will keep your cornea moist and prevent conditions like dry eye, red eye etc.

 

Never sleep in your lenses – increases infection risk from six-eight-fold.

In exceedingly rare cases, people are asked to sleep in their lenses, by their doctors. Otherwise, never sleep in your contacts. It has been found in many studies that sleeping in lenses can irreparably damage your vision. If you wear them continuously without disinfecting them, you may end up in the emergency condition. Corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer and open sore can form on the cornea, which requires immediate surgery.

Never swim or shower wearing contacts

Remove your contacts before getting in the swimming pool or hot tub/tubs, as water can damage the lenses. There was a case which was reported in the Ophthalmology journal about a 34 year old man who slept and swam in his lenses, several times a week. He developed a rare eye infection called acanthamoeba keratitis, which required months of antibacterial and antiviral topical treatment, after which his vision was restored.

Replace contact lenses case periodically

Clean by rubbing and rinsing the case with the lens solution, and then dry with tissue paper. Place them upside down after removing the caps every time you use the contacts. Replace the case every three months.

Give rest to your eyes

Contact lenses cover the cornea, a transparent tissue which covers the eyes. While wearing contacts, air cannot reach the cornea. In case of overwearing, the cornea which is starved for oxygen, starts to grow new blood-vessels and eye inflammation can occur. Lipids deposits also occur in cornea, affecting vision. Thus, to protect your eyes, you should not wear contacts continuously. Allow oxygen to reach the cornea and stay safe.

Disinfect before use every time

If you happen to wear lenses sporadically, then clean the lenses the previous night, to get rid of any microbial growth on the lens and case. Even if you don’t wear them regularly, make a habit of cleaning them regularly, to avoid danger of infection.

Wear after proper prescription and fitting

Colored contact lenses are trendy and fashionable. But it is not an accessory which should be bought over the counter. They should be prescribed by your eye doctor, and only buy lenses which are of good quality.

Things to remember:

  • Never over-wear, sleep or swim in lenses
  • Follow eye hygiene habits such as cleaning with eyelid wipes or soft eye shampoo daily
  • Never use tap water to clean your contact lenses
  • Never reuse the cleaning solution
  • Always wash hands before you handle contact lenses.

The above rules are a part of eye hygiene for those who use contact lens. If you are consistent and meticulous about the care of your eyes and your lenses, and establish a daily hygiene routine, then you can prevent eye infections which can potentially lead to vision impairment. Any eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and discomfort should not be neglected. Immediately remove the lenses and contact your eye doctor.

#Contact lens #Eyelidhygine #Eyecare  #dryeyes #blepharitis #oculeaf

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Get rid of Demodex mites right now, these commonly find on eyelids and eyelashes!

Are your eyes red, watering and itching? You may feel there is something stuck in your eyes, have sticky discharge and inflammation. You are facing constant discomfort, even though you may have reduced your work on the screen and resting your eyes. Or, you may suddenly be facing an outbreak of acne and there is just no explanation for the ugly outbursts on your face. The reason could be Demodex mites – these are microscopic mites which reside on your body, mainly in the eyelids, face, forehead and nose.

These mites might have made a comfortable home in your eyelashes/eyes, completely unknown to you. They also crawl out at nighttime and run amok over your face, causing pimples, and other skin problems such as rosacea. So how did these mites get inside your eyes and how do you get rid of them?

How do Demodex mites get inside the eyes?

You’d be surprised to know that most people on the planet already have Demodex mites on the body, especially on the eyelash follicles and meibomian glands. Sometimes, Demodex spreads through the dust particles which contain the eggs of Demodex. The ectoparasites or eight legged bugs can be controlled with regular eye hygiene.

 

When these mites, which feed on dead skin cells, multiply, they cause immense discomfort, and have been found to be the contributing factor in aggravating eye diseases/disorders such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis etc. Out of 62 species of Demodex mites, only two species are found on us – the Demodex folliculorum, and the Demodex brevis.

 

Is Demodex contagious?

As these mites have the capacity to spread through contact, they are contagious. So, if anyone in your family has been found to have eye problems because of Demodex, then ideally the whole family should be checked and started on a daily eyelid cleaning regime. You should also wash the sheets, towels, pillow covers etc. in hot water to get rid of any larvae.

 

You should also never share any eye makeup with anyone. Demodex mites can spread through eyelash brushes, mascara, eye liner as well as other cosmetics or cosmetic tools which are used on the eyelashes.

 

What is the life cycle of Demodex mites?

Demodex mites’ life cycle is between 2-3 weeks. A female mite lays up to 20 eggs in one single eyelash follicle. These eggs turn into a mite. Adult male mites leave the eyelash follicle to look for a mate, and walk approx 10 mm/hour, tending to be much more active in darkness. Adult females remain in the follicle.

Signs of Demodex infestation

Apart from inflammation, itching, tearing of the eyes, burning sensation, blurred vision and matted eyelashes, a sign of Demodex is cylindrical dandruff on the lashes, which is visible under a microscope. This dandruff is one of the common signs of Demodex. The dandruff is considered to be produced when the Demodex mites’ claws scrape around in the eyelash follicles.

 

Another tell-tale sign of Demodex is that the lashes are very brittle. You may have eyebrow itching too, in the mornings, foreign body sensation which seems to originate underneath the lids. Also, Demodex occurrence has been found to increase with age, i.e. the older you get the more chances you have of developing a Demodex infestation.

How to manage Demodex infestation?

Demodex can be controlled/managed with maintaining eye hygiene with eyelash wipes and eye shampoos which have 2% Tea Tree Oil. Such as Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes and Oculeaf Soft Eyelid Cleanser contain, in addition to Tea Tree Oil, vitamin E, Aloe D-Panthenol, and does not contain any SLS, parabens and alcohol. These products are recommended as they are soft and gentle on the lashes and skin of the face.

 

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is considered to the best to combat Demodex as it has an ingredient terpinen-4-ol. Many studies have proven the efficacy of TTO to manage Demodex infestation, prevent laying of eggs, destroy larvae, and get relief. Besides, a daily eyelash cleaning regime will keep you and your family safe from other eye infections as well.

 

How to prevent Demodex infestation?

Once your doctor diagnoses you as having Demodex infestation, then you have to follow his advice and take the medication and other precautions. Wash the face twice every day with Oculeaf Cleanser, cleaning your eye area, and if you use eye makeup, throw out all the earlier eye makeup and brushes. Do not share from others and do not share your makeup with others.

 

When you have excessive watering of the eyes, itching of eyebrows and eyes, red eyes, eye pain, aggravated eczema or rosacea– it is time to visit your doctor. Otherwise, Demodex has been known to cause red eye, dry eye and other infections. Control the mites embedded in the eyes with a healthy eye cleansing routine and regain eye health.

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Why it’s important to remove makeup before sleeping…

Removing makeup before sleeping is a rule which you have to establish for yourself. All the cleansers in the market are not there for nothing – it is an important message that just as looking good boosts your mood, a cleansed skin will boost your skin health. If you look at the beauty routine of some of the most glamorous women in the world, you will find a mention of removing makeup before sleeping on their must-do list.

 

Makeup makes you feel good and confident, and a glowing skin will make you feel even better. One of the secrets to a glowing skin is letting the skin renew itself while sleeping. If makeup is on your face, then this cannot happen. Your skin cannot breathe, and the signs of fatigue are visible in some time. When the pores are blocked, you may even get pimples and blackheads. Or the irritation and itching caused by dust and makeup residue will lead to skin problems, as well as making the skin dull.

 

It is crucial to clean eye makeup as well before sleeping. The eyes are delicate, and you should treat them with utmost care. A story which was published in American Academy of Ophthalmology is one which is extreme – a 50 years old woman went to her eye-doctor after undergoing extreme irritation and pain in the eyes.

 

The doctor looked underneath her eyelids and discovered solid masses or ‘concretions’. Incredibly, these concretions were the result of decades of mascara build up. The lady in question had never removed her eye makeup properly, which led to the mascara solidifying in her eyes. The doctors had to perform a 90 minutes surgical procedure, to remove the solid masses, but unfortunately, it left permanent scars. Still, the lady was saved from becoming blind, which was a big possibility, doctors said. She was lucky that she did not develop any eye infection.

 

While the above story is a little extreme, and is a very rare case, still it underlines the importance of cleaning the eyes of makeup residue. If any makeup, such as mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow stay on the lids at night, for so many hours while you sleep, the glands and hair follicles in the eyes may get blocked. This blockage leads to inflammation, irritation, swelling and tearing of eyes, and you may develop sties, and/or MGD (Meibomian Gland Disorder). Bacterial infections might occur, and ingrown eyelashes are another possibility.

 

Even if you feel tired and exhausted at the end of a grueling day, you just have to push yourself to do this for yourself. If you don’t use makeup, you should still clean your face daily before sleeping at night as it will remove the dust and pollution from the pores, and your skin will not be damaged while you sleep at night.

 

Just clean your eyes daily with soft eyelid wipes, such as Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes, which has Tea Tree Oil, is gentle on the eyes, and is paraben free. Tea Tree Oil has been found to be beneficial for eyes in many studies, as it has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties.

 

You can carry these wipes with you, so that you need not skip your eye-skin hygiene routine, even when you travel. The Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes are formulated in a way that they can be used on the face also. So just swiping your face daily with these wipes, or other soft wipes will improve your skin health tremendously.

 

To have skin that glows naturally, and to keep your eyes bright and shining, establish and rigorously follow a daily skin and eye makeup removal routine.  It will only take two minutes, but these two minutes will result in radiant, healthy skin and eyes!

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Emerging treatment approaches of Meibomian Gland Disorder (MGD)

MGD or Meibomian Gland Disorder is an eye condition which is very distressing for the sufferers. The glands become clogged and solid, waxy deposits are formed in the eyelids. It causes symptoms similar to Dry Eye, among other things, which makes life difficult indoors and outdoors. You have to take constant care of your eyes till you get relief.

Dealing with MGD is difficult but not impossible. The glands of the eyes get blocked in the eyes due to many reasons. The pain, irritation, dry eyes, watery eyes makes it difficult to do the simplest things such as reading, working on your computer or even watching TV. Too much strain can cause a flare up of the symptoms. Here are a few clinical and home therapies to make life manageable while suffering from MGD:

Warm compresses

This is the simplest and easiest treatment and has been prescribed by doctors for years. You have to apply warm compresses to your eyelids, followed by a massage so that the oil which is blocking the eyelids would be melted and expressed. Though applying compresses is not enough, it can provide temporary relief for a while, especially when you are tempted to rub your eyes. Rubbing the eyes may lead to a flare-up of your symptoms and doctors advise against that. You might spread the infection to your other eye too.

Lid debridement

This is a procedure can be done by your eye doctor. He or she will use an instrument to remove/extract a material known as keratin from your eyes. This process can get rid of the debris that adheres to your eyelids’ margins and clogs the meibomian glands. Statistics show that eyelid debridement produced significant relief even a month after it was done. So lid debridement is one of the therapies your eye doctor can provide, when the blockage is extreme.

Use eyelid wipes regularly

Eyelid wipes will clean your eyes, remove all the accumulated dirt, pollution, bacteria and parasites from your eyelids and ease the irritation. MGD can have many causes – bacterial or parasitic or a combination of both. Tea Tree Oil has been found to be very effective in the management of MGD, as it has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties.

To cope with the life disrupting symptoms of MGD, establish a daily eyelid cleaning routine. Just wipe your eyes twice a day (or more) with wipes such as Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes which contain TTO and has no alcohol, parabens, and other harmful chemicals.  This is the fastest and easiest way to care for your inflamed and blocked eyelids, and you can do this anytime, anywhere as you can carry the wipes with you anywhere.

Supplement your diet

Eye doctors sometimes recommend supplementing diet with Omega 3 supplements as an additional treatment for MGD. MGD has been seen to be controlled and recurrence is also low or does not recur at all,  when the diet is rich with Omega 3. The essential fatty acids are supposed to suppress the MGD related inflammation, as well as decreasing the chances of the wax build-up in meibomian glands. Fatty fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and soybeans also have a high content of Omega 3 fatty acids. Including these in your diet will help to reduce the formation of wax in the eyelids.

Intense Pulsed Light treatment

One of the therapies your doctor might recommend is the IPL which was earlier used in the treatment of rosacea. Now it is being used for MGD too. Intense pulses of infrared and visible light will be applied to your eyelids, for about 20 minutes. Depending on your MGD condition, the doctor may prescribe multiple sessions one month apart. IPL reduces inflammation and decreases the obstruction of meibomian glands.

Lipiflow

Lipiflow is other therapy which eye doctors use to melt the wax deposits in the meibomian glands. Heat is used for melting the wax and then pressure is applied to the eyelids to express the clogged glands’ content.

 What else should you do?

Initially, when the condition is severe, you have to take time off and rest your eyes. As almost 99% of our work is done on computers or other devices with screens, you have control the hours of working, to avoid eye strain. As you may not be able to stop working altogether, you must give yourself breaks after half an hour or twenty minutes.

Try to get permission to work from home or ask leave for a few days, till you are able to bear the pain and control the tearing eyes, as well as the itching in the eyes.

Resist the temptation to watch television or videos online or play games on the phone. Give WhatsApp, Insta, Twitter, and other social media a miss, and spend the time to relax in other ways, preferably indoors.

Apply warm compress and the medication that your doctor has prescribed so that you will get relief as soon as possible. And stick to your daily eyelid cleaning routine with Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes which has Tea Tree Oil and notice the difference within a few days!

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Vitawoods Lutein Gummies – the complete eye nutrition for children

Your child needs complete nutrition and you try to fulfil all the nutrition requirements with the right food and supplements. As a mother, you know that proper nutrition leads to physical growth of your child, including brain development. There is one more area of nutrition which is often overlooked and that is eye or ocular nutrition.

Specially now, you must be worried because children are spending so many hours in front of some or the other screen. Older children might even spend more than 9 hours on their screens, due to online schooling, watching tv, reading/researching online, chatting with friends, and playing video games.

Even younger children have to attend school online for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours and then complete their assignments, read and play video games etc.

The over exposure to the blue light from various screens has led to more eye problems such as poor vision, low vision, blurry vision, redness in the eyes and eye strain. Some children complain that they cannot see things which are at a distance. Like most other parents, you may have noticed your child peering at screens, blinking, having red eyes and complaining of blurred vision.

All these eye problems are becoming more and more common in children and elders as we spend more time indoors and have to depend on screens for work and entertainment.

 Move on from good old carrots

Traditionally, we have been fed carrots to benefit the eyes, by our mothers, and you must have been supplementing the diet of your child with carrots too. But now it is time to move much advance and time-tested supplements like Vitawoods Lutein Gummy’s, as these will help to improve the vision and eye health of your child.

 What is Vitawoods Gummies?

The simplest way to describe Vitawoods Lutein Gummies is that it is the yummiest supplement for improving vision and health of eyes. Children will love it as it has a perfect mango candy like taste, instead of the medicinal taste of other supplements. Only two a day is sufficient to keep their eyes healthy and safe from the eye stress.

People of all ages can enjoy Vitawoods Lutein Gummies as it has a delightful mango flavor. Children, tweens, teens, young adults and the elderly can just pop a gummy and ensure that the nutrients that are required for ocular health, to avoid myopia, short sightedness, and so on are easily delivered to the body. In fact, it is a complete supplement for the whole family.

Vitawoods is packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc, all the scientifically proven ingredients for better eyesight.

 What are Lutein and zeaxanthin?

Lutein is a carotenoid which cannot be synthesized by the human body, but it is incredibly important for maintaining healthy vision. It can be synthesized or made by plants and vegetables such as spinach and marigold flower. Zeaxanthin is also a carotenoid which is found in green vegetables, and gives colors to them.

Many studies have discovered that lutein and zeaxanthin are crucial for ocular(Eye) health as they increase the thickness of the macular pigment, technically understood as MPOD.

 Role of vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc in eye health

Along with the two components mentioned above, Vitawoods Gummies also has the goodness of Vitamin C and E and Zinc. So why are these vitamins good for the eyes? Well, vitamin C supports the health of blood vessels in the eyes, vitamin E protects from the eye damage caused by free radicals and actually improves the immunity of the body. In the days of the Coronavirus pandemic, immunity is much needed, to stay healthy.

Zinc is essential for the eyes, and is concentrated in the choroid and retina of the eyes. Deficiency of Zinc causes poor night vision and damages vision in other ways. Your children must have the required amount of zinc through diet every day, for eye health.

 Why Vitawoods Gummies for children?

It is quite difficult to achieve the required dosage through diet, as children are quite finicky about eating their veggies! Every mother experiences the frustration of getting their kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, but now, with the Gummies, it makes the job of getting the correct amount of nutrients into their system, extremely easy.

To protect the vision of your child, you now have a tasty and delicious option – Vitawoods Gummies. Try this out and allow yourself some peace of mind that even though your child is spending many hours in front of the screen, still their eyesight will not be affected to a great extent by problems like blurred vision, myopia etc. It’s good for the whole family too, so what can be better than to protect everyone than with some wonderful candy!

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Eyecare during the Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus, which started in China, has now spread to over 200 countries, and infected more than 4.1 Mn people globally. It is a highly contagious disease, as it is transmitted from person to person. Even countries with the most developed healthcare systems are finding it hard to beat back the virus. Europe & USA have become the new epicenter, reporting 100’s of deaths every day. There are many lacs of cases in the US, UK, Italy Spain, Germany, Russia, and other countries.

It has spread to India and most other countries in the world. As countries announce lockdowns for health reasons, still you do have to venture out to buy essentials like food and medicines. You must keep yourself safe, as it has been proven that the virus spreads through aerosol transmission, i.e. through respiratory droplets which can get deposited on you via an infected person, through the nose, eyes and mouth, or by touching surfaces on which the virus is present.

It is best to stay away from people who cough or sneeze, and donning a mask is helpful, though the virus is not airborne. The mask covers the mouth and nose, thus protecting you. If you do not have a mask, (since they have become scarce), cover your nose and mouth with a scarf when you go out, and wash it thoroughly with soap and water, after you come back.

However, WHO has stated that you should not touch your nose, mouth, face and eyes, whether you’re at home or outside. So, coronavirus does not spread just through your mouth and nose, but also through the eyes and may get itchy eyes or swollen eyes!

Avoid rubbing the eyes, as this is a habit most of us are prone to. If you get itchy eyes or you have to adjust your glasses, or for any reason you feel the need to touch the eyes, do so with a tissue. Dry eyes might lead to itchy eyes, so moisturize your eyes with tear drops, but do wash your hands with soap and water before you administer the eyedrops and afterward also.

As you cannot keep the eyes clean with soap and water, you should use non-toxic tea tree-based eyelid wipes and eyelid cleanser. Clean your eyelids and face at least two to three times a day with either eyelid wipes or eyelid cleanser to stay safe from the dreaded Coronavirus. This will help to clean any virus or bacteria which might be lodged in the eyelids.

Practicing safe hygiene as well as social distancing will help to slow down the spread of the disease:

  • Wash hands many times during the day with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  • Take care to wash hands before eating, after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose.
  • Wash your hands after you reach home, taking care to touch door handles of your car and home with a dry tissue.
  • If you do not have access to soap and water, while on the move, use a sanitizer which has 60% alcohol, but remember to wash your hands the moment you get a chance to do so.
  • Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cover your face with a tissue or elbow while sneezing or coughing. After disposing of the tissue, wash the hands.
  • Avoid standing close to people, especially sick people. The WHO recommends to stand at least 6 feet away from sick people.
  • Do not go out if you have a fever, cold or cough, but call the government coronavirus helpline.
  • To be on the safe side, try to use glasses instead of contact lenses for some time.
  • Make a practice of disinfecting the surfaces as well as items of your home.
  • Wash all products which you can wash (without destroying them!) with soap and water, such as milk packets.
  • Plan your shopping trips so that after you buy your groceries and vegetables, you need not touch them for 12 to 14 hours. The virus does not survive for more than 14 hours on surfaces, according to WHO.

Coronavirus has ignited panic in people worldwide due to its ability to spread between people with ease. If you follow the recommended hygiene guidelines, in general and specifically for the eyes, nose and mouth, you may be protected from the virus.

Eye hygiene is vital and using cleansing tea tree Oil wipes and soft eyelid cleanser like Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes and Oculeaf Soft Eyelid Cleanser, which also is safe to use on the eyes and face, you can hope to fight coronavirus. Avoiding touching the eyes with your hands may prevent coronavirus infection through your eyes and if you have symptoms consult your eyelid doctor.

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Why do mothers need to practice eyelid hygiene?

A mother’s role is not confined to providing healthy and delicious food. She is a manager, disciplinarian, psychologist (when she listens to everyone), and most of all, she is the best teacher anyone can have. We learn everything from our mothers –  basic hygiene such as brushing our teeth, how to eat and stay healthy, social etiquette, etc, etc, ….

Mothers not only stay inside the home, but step out to do the household shopping, to work, pick and drop their kids from school and their sports and music lessons and tuitions.

Eye problems faced by mothers

While stepping out, pollution may cause many eye problems. The dirt and debris that get inside their eyes may block eye glands and cause MGD or Meibomian Gland Disorder and subsequently blepharitis, red eyes, and dry eyes.

Working mothers may have to spend hours in front of a computer. Working mothers as well as house wives may work on the computer for a long time for supervising their kids’ homework or school projects. And then, for a little downtime, they may like to check Facebook and Whatsapp on their phones, or watch their favorite Netflix shows on a computer, a phone, or a tablet. Such a long exposure to screens and blue light might cause Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and Dry Eye Syndrome (DES).

And last but not the least, a mother likes to look good and put on eye make up (among other make up), which may harm her eyes if not cleaned well.

The role of eyelid hygiene

Practicing eyelid hygiene can be an effective way for a mother to stay safe from the above lifestyle and environment related eye problems.

Eyelid hygiene practice is comparatively new in India, but it is an aspect of basic hygiene that should not be ignored, especially if you are a mother. As you know well, if a mother is ill in any way, the whole family’s life is disrupted. Children too become distressed emotionally as they are closest to their mothers.

So eyelid/eye hygiene is really important for all mothers, who are the backbone of a family.

How should you practice eye hygiene?

It’s easy to practice eyelid or eye hygiene. However, if you’re thinking you’re doing it already by washing your eyes with water every day, it’s not enough.

You have to clean your eyelids thoroughly where the dust/debris accumulate. There are many mites known as Demodex mites, which reside on the eyelids of almost all humans. These mites can also travel across your face , sometimes causing rosacea, and you can never see them, as they are microscopic. Demodex mites can cause eye infection which can be very painful and might need medication.

To keep yourself safe from Demodex mites, allergens, debris, make-up residue, Dry Eye Syndrome, and Computer Vision Syndrome, you should use eyelid wipes and eyelid cleansers.

Eyelid wipes, such as Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes that are pre-moistened with TTO (Tea Tree Oil) and do not have any toxic chemicals, can be used. They have effective refreshing agents, which keep your eyes moistened. Swipe the eyelid wipe from side to side, and clean the eyelid, eyelashes, eyebrows, and face. Yes, these wipes can be used for the face too!

Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes and Oculeaf soft Eyelid Cleanser (Shampoo) can be used twice in a day, unless you’re advised to clean your eyes/eyelids more than twice by a doctor.

Practice eyelid hygiene for you and your family’s benefit

So, mothers, why not start practicing eyelid hygiene from today? With all the pollution in the environment (chemicals and particulate matter floating around), you have to protect yourself. Establishing a regular eye/eyelid cleaning routine will keep your eyes healthy and happy, and help in inculcating this healthy habit in your entire family.

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Manage contact lens discomfort with Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes

Wearing contact lens has many advantages but some people suffer from contact lens discomfort. A study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology revealed that among young adults, 25% of visits to the ophthalmology is due to eye problems due to contact lenses. If you wear contact lens, you may be quite happy with them. On the other hand you may be experiencing some discomfort. Here are some reasons as well as tips to help you manage your discomfort with eyelid wipes, such as Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes:

Contact lens discomfort – symptoms

  • Stinging, burning, itching in the eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Pain, eyes’ watering, redness
  • Blurred vision, sensitivity to light

These symptoms might indicate simple issues such as problems with the fit or a serious problem like corneal infection and ulcer. If you think contact lens discomfort is normal, then you’re very wrong! After the initial acclimation period, the lens should feel comfortable at all times. In fact, you shouldn’t even notice you are wearing them.

Reasons which cause discomfort due to contact lens

The lens are not a good fit

If your lens does not fit well, it can lead to serious problems. Your lenses rest directly on the eyes, buoyed by the tear film and a multi-layer of oil protectant (mucin, water and oil). Ill-fitting lenses may cause you extreme discomfort. If you experience any symptoms of discomfort, you should get them redone with the right measurement.

Dry eye caused by tear film drying out

Wearing contacts may sometimes dry out the tear film, and you experience all the dry eye symptoms such as burning, itching, pain and red eyes. A good solution for this is to use doctor prescribed artificial tears.

Another solution is to clean your eyes daily with Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes which is pre-moistened with tea tree oil. It will help to manage dry eyes as it will lubricate the tear film and you could use eyelid wipes before you put on the lenses. TTO is the best natural remedy for all kinds of eye problems, even dry eyes caused by contact lenses.

Eat well to have better tear quality

Eat a nutritious diet composed of omega-3 fatty acids and include flaxseed oil as a supplement. It will improve the composition of the tears, making it more oily. Oiler tear film will prevent evaporation of tears, as well as allowing lenses rest comfortably on your eyes’ tear film.

Avoid sharing

Sharing contacts increase the chances of eye infections. Wearing someone else’s contacts means they won’t fit well and can cause damage to the cornea. Teenagers are usually prone to share their contacts, and should be advised not to do so.

Practice right hygiene

Contacts can get damaged due to rough handling. Damaged contacts should never be worn. Also, it is imperative to wash hands before wearing your contacts. This simple hygienic practice will save you from infections due to germs from your hand.

Why you should Oculeaf Eyelid wipes

Features of Oculeaf eyelid wipes

  • Contains natural moisturizer which hydrates and refreshes eyelids & eyes – The natural moisturizers Sodium Hyaluronate and Tea Tree Oil keeps eyes refreshed and shooting which helps to wear contacts comfortably every day. If your tear film is properly lubricated, you will not experience the discomfort due to dry eyes.
  • Wipes are pre-moistened with tea tree oil -So why should you use Oculeaf eyelid wipes? Well, because it is formulated using Tea Tree Oil (TTO)as one of the main ingredients. TTO is considered to be the best for controlling/preventing eye infection.
  • Free from parabens, fragrance, SLS and preservatives – Oculeaf Eyelid wipes are free from all harmful chemicals, making it safest for daily use. It removes eye exudates, dust, mites and bacteria.

How to use Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes

Step 1: Wash your hands and close your eyes.

Step 2: Gently clean your eyelids with a pre-moistened Oculeaf Wipe from the center to the corner of your eyes. Repeat for the other eye contour too.

Step 3: Insert your contact lenses after washing hands.

Use Oculeaf eyelid wipes twice a day, before inserting and after removing your contact lenses for best results. Oculeaf is available in 12 and 24 wipes’ pre-moistened wipes, which you can carry around easily.

For more information, visit www.waypham.com, and in case of severe problems do visit your ophthalmologist.

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Habit of daily Eyelid Hygiene will support Healthy Vision

Learn how eye hygiene can protect your cornea

The cornea is a very important part of your eye. Your cornea is dome-like in shape and transparent, situated at the front part of the eye. It functions like the lens of a camera, focusing light onto the retina. It also has nerves which make us alert to irritants that could harm vision and eye health. It is very delicate and has to be protected because if it is damaged in any way, your eyesight will be poor, even though the rest of your eye is healthy.

What is the cornea made of?

In order to understand the ways to protect your eyes, you should know a little about the composition of the cornea. It comprises of five parts – the epithelium, Bowman’s membrane, stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and the endothelium.

 

Epithelium: The topmost layer of the cornea is the epithelium. This is the layer that requires enough lubrication. If the epithelium is dry or dirty, you will suffer from dry eye syndrome, eye irritation, and itching. One of the ways to strengthen your cornea is to clean your eyes daily with harmless eyelid wipes and eyelid cleansers.

It’s important to keep your Eyes & Eyelids clean by wiping daily with Eyelids Wipes – this may help reduce microbial loads and other pollutants and chemicals and thus improve overall Eyelids Hygiene. It will reduce the seepage of irritating and infective materials into the corneal epithelium and protect your vision. Using harmless eye cleaners like the Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes and Oculeaf Eyelid Soft Eyelid Cleanser is one of the ways eye hygiene can protect your cornea.

 

Stroma: The stroma is the densest part of the corneal part, and if it gets damaged, you will suffer significant loss of vision. Corneal infections left untreated can damage stroma. It can also be damaged by foreign bodies in the eyes. When you know the importance of and how to take care of eyes daily, you will be able to prevent corneal infections and protect your vision. Again, the best way how eye hygiene can protect your cornea is by using tea tree oil-based Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes and Cleansers.

 

Endothelium: The cornea’s innermost layer is the endothelium. The endothelium is hydrated by aqueous fluid and keeps eyes lubricated. If this layer is damaged via infections, then corneal transplant might be needed.

 

Why you should use Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes, Oculeaf Soft Eyelid Cleanser, and Oculeaf Eyelid Gel to protect your Vision

Your cornea is the first layer of defence of your eyes. Gently cleaning the contour of your eyes & Eyelids daily with Oculeaf Eyelid wipes will clean the impurities as well as bacteria which can cause infections or allergy. These wipes are the best in line and most advanced product in its category. The wipes are formulated from Natural Tea Tree Oil, along with Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, and Glycerin. You can use these Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes on your eyelids, eyebrows, and face every day as they are quite safe.

Similarly, use the Oculeaf Soft Eyelid Cleanser as this contains Tea Tree Oil, & Aloe barbadensis flower extract as the base and a very gentle formulation of Panthenol and Tocopherol (High vitamin E).

 

Keeping the eyes clean will help the cornea to function at its best, giving you the benefit of optimum vision. A regular eye care routine using Oculeaf products will take only five minutes of your time but give you a lifetime of enjoying healthy eyes!

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10 hidden reasons why your eyes have excessive watering most of the time

Anything to do with the eyes is a little baffling, as we know very little about our valuable asset. We take our eyes for granted, and in India especially, we do not practice proper eye hygiene. This leads to many eye problems, including your eyes leaking tons of water all the time, or eyes water suddenly sometimes, at intervals. What are the main reasons for your eyes watering when you least expect it?

First, how are tears produced?

The eyes produce ‘basal’ tears, a fluid which keeps the eyes moisturized. This lets you see clearly, without any discomfort, according to NEI (National Eye Institute). A mixture of water, mucus, fatty oils and more than 1,500 proteins (bet you didn’t know that!). When we blink, the basal tears spread over our cornea. Blinking regularly throughout the day keeps your eyes healthy and moistened.

If everything’s all right with the eyes, then the extra tear fluid is drained out through the tear ducts called ‘puncta’, located at the inner corners of the eyelids, near the nose.

Ophthalmologists have two terms to describe excessive tearing – ‘insufficient drainage’ and ‘overproduction of tears’.

Now, why do your eyes water all the time?

Reason -1: Dry environment

When you’re in a dry environment, you can feel your cheeks going dry. At the same time, your eyes become dry too. That’s when the lacrimal glands release and produce more tears in a phenomenon called ‘reflex tearing’. You might have noticed the discomfort and watery eyes you experience when you’re in an air-conditioned environment, or when you’re out in strong winds outside.

Solution

If your eyes are watering due to the dry environment, then you should think about a few changes to your lifestyle. For example, buy a humidifier, avoid direct air flowing in your eyes from fans, avoiding air conditioners or keeping the temperature at a little below room temperature, so that it’s cool but not freezing.

Also, you can use eyelid wipes like Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes daily so that your eyes’ moisture level is balanced, keeps your eyelids clean and refreshing.

Reason – 2: You’ve been staring at your computer screen for hours

Whether for work or pleasure, staring at the laptop, iPad, Desktop screen, and forgetting to blink, can dry the eyes too, causing reflex tearing. Your colleagues might be surprised at you seemingly crying your heart out in front of the screen when you’re at work!

Solution

Blink more when you’re working at your lappie. And follow the 20-20-20 rule religiously – the rule is to look 20 ft away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. It gives your eyes rest and the opportunity to blink. Your comp screen should not be above your eye level, as this will cause more strain on your eyes.

Reason – 3: Binging on your favorite shows

The Dry Eye Disease Activity Log Study, conducted by Jayant V Iyer, Sze-Yee Lee and Louis Tong, found that while watching TV for a long time, people experienced episodic blur vision, which was caused by eyes drying up. When you’re engrossed in watching TV, you get totally engrossed in the story and forget to blink.  Not blinking is the root cause of eyes tearing and blurring in the middle of your binge-watching.

Solution

The study found that when the eyes were lubricated then the symptoms of discomfort were reduced. You can use artificial tears to lubricate them or clean the eyes with Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes to get desired relief and freshness in a harmless way.

Reason – 4: Your Meibomian glands are blocked

If something is obstructing the Meibomian glands, then they cannot release the oil, which might cause unstable tear film and eyes watering. But this is also a condition which is accompanied by eyelid inflammation, known as blepharitis, or skin disorders like rosacea.

Solution

You need to consult your doctor about this. Practicing eyelid hygiene by cleaning your eyelids & eye contour every day with Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes will clear blockages, reduce inflammation and rosacea.

Reason – 5: Contact lenses

Watery eyes can be caused by your contact lenses, as they dry the tear film. If your eyes water consistently when you’re wearing the lenses, then it might mean that they’re not a good fit. Or that you’re wearing them for a long time.

Solution

Recheck the lenses’ fit and keep your eyes lubricated and moist. Keep your eyelids & eyelashes clean.

Reason – 6: Eyeliner gets in your eyes

Sometimes, if you apply eyeliner right on the lid, it can cause watering. This is because the eye is irritated, and tries to flush the liner out of the eyes.

Solution

Consider your eyelashes as the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ for eyeliner application. Stay on the lashes as much as possible while applying your liner. Remove your makeup before sleeping both Oculeaf Soft Eyelid Cleanser and Oculeaf Eyelid Wipes are very effective in removing your make up softly.

Reason -7: Your eyes are having an allergic reaction

The body releases a chemical called histamine which might cause your eyes to well up and start watering. Sometimes, you could be suffering from a subtle allergy, which is not pronounced, but it causes severe watering of the eyes.

Solution

You should see a doctor if this is happening randomly.

Reason -8: You suffer from dry eye

It seems contradictory, but it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Reflex tearing happens to people who suffer from chronic dry eyes. This is because along with burning, stinging, mucus, light sensitivity, blurred vision, exhausted eyes, the eyes might water excessively too.

Solution

You should never neglect persistent dry eye symptoms, and just HAVE to consult an ophthalmologist. There could be an underlying cause for which you have to have a proper treatment plan. Eyelid Hygiene will help reduce symptoms of dry eyes.

Reason – 9: Sleep apnea

More research on this condition has shown that sleep apnea is associated to a host of diseases, including heart conditions, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, high blood pressure as well as ‘floppy eyelid syndrome’. In this, your upper eyelid stays open when you sleep, leading to dryness.

Solution

Visit your doctor, as he will advise you the proper treatment.

Reason – 10: Excessive uses of two-wheelers driving

Often people use long hours driving two-wheelers suffers from excessive tearing. It is because of continuous air pressure on eyes destabilize tear film.

Solution

You should avoid long traveling on two-wheelers or if it is unavoidable travel with break journey. Keep your eyes moist & clean.

If you’re embarrassed by your eyes watering in the middle of a board meeting, it’s time you made a few lifestyle changes, including practicing regular eye hygiene. When the tearing or watering becomes unbearable and does not improve with any changes you have made to your life, then you should see the doctor immediately. Daily Eye & Eyelids Hygiene is the most important part like brushing your teeth. This will help to keep your eyes healthy.

To know more about eye hygiene, visit www.waypham.com

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