Enhance Patient Eye Exams:
Lid and Lash Hygiene Tips

Enhance Patient Eye Exams: Lid and Lash Hygiene Tips

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Routine eye exams are vital for monitoring and maintaining ocular health. A crucial but often overlooked aspect of eye health is the condition of a patients’ lids and lashes. With increasing prevalence of dry eye and the rising popularity of lash extensions, growth serums and other cosmetic practices, proper lid and lash hygiene has become more important than ever in ensuring optimal eye health.

Why Lid and Lash Hygiene Matters

Just like brushing our teeth, proper lid and lash hygiene to manage bacterial overpopulation and debris build-up is critical to our eyes’ overall health. In fact, daily lid and lash hygiene has been shown to help manage and relieve many common eye frustrations including Dry Eye, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Blepharitis, Styes, Demodex and more.

As an eye health care professional, your role in understanding factors, assessing and educating patients on good lid and lash hygiene is more pivotal than ever before.

Tips for an Effective Eye Exam

Here are some super easy and effective tips from Dr. Selina McGee, OD, FAAO to help you enhance your patient eye exams and your patients’ overall eye health by incorporating lid and lash hygiene.

Observe from the Start
Eye exams begin as soon as the patient enters the room. Look for signs like head tilt, chin positioning, or conditions such as ptosis, rosacea, blepharochalasis, or orbital fat prolapse. These findings can impact eye health and comfort.
Inspect with Multiple Angles
Always ask the patient to look down during the exam. Conditions like Demodex or blepharitis might be missed in the primary gaze. Observing from various angles provides a comprehensive view.
Address Aesthetic Procedures
If a patient uses aesthetic products like lash extensions, growth serums, or heavy makeup, discuss these habits. Educate them on safer makeup practices, ingredients to avoid (like prostaglandin), and the importance of good lid and lash hygiene . See the top 8 toxins used in cosmetics below.
Identify Collarettes
Look for collarettes as they indicate demodex blepharitis. If present,recommend your preferred treatment options for demodex and get yourpatient on a pure hypochlorous acid cleanser (or lid and lash hygieneroutine) to remove Demodex food source and manage future outbreaks.
Educate on Daily Hygiene
Emphasize the importance of daily lid and lash hygiene. Advise on removing makeup daily, using eye-safe products, avoiding disruptive ingredients, and establishing a consistent hygiene routine.

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Effective Questions to Start the Conversation

Starting a conversation about eye health can be challenging. Use these questions to engage patients:

"Your lashes are quite long—are they natural, or do you use a growth serum?"
"How do you clean your lash extensions?"
"Do you wear eye makeup? How do you remove it? Do you ever sleep in your makeup?"
"Did you know some eye products might affect your eye health?"
"Do your eyelids bother you?"
"Would you like to make your eyes appear more open?"
"Did you know the eyelids are a common area for skin cancer?"

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Promote Daily Eye Hygiene

Daily eye hygiene is as crucial as brushing your teeth. Avenova Lid & Lash Cleanser is an effective solution to maintain eye health without irritation. It helps manage common eye issues such as dry eye, blepharitis, and styes.