Considering patient on-the-go lifestyles and the in-office benefits for eye doctors, Bruder has introduced an additional dry eye treatment solution tailored to accommodate these needs. Adding Eyedration to the comprehensive Bruder line of foundational dry eye treatment products, which includes lid hygiene and hydration products, is a game-changing solution for in-office manual expression procedures.
Eyedration by Bruder, a single-use, air-activated, moist heat eye mask, is designed to provide optimum results and convenience for both doctors and patients.
Lid Disease Primary Cause of Dry Eye
With a staggering 57 percent of patients suffering from dry eye, the demand for effective treatments is higher than ever. Recognizing this need, 41 percent of ODs are expanding their ocular surface disease (OSD) line of practice, with another 19 percent planning expansion in the near future. Lid disease, including blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), is identified by nearly half of doctors as the primary cause of dry eye in their patients. Restoring the flow of healthy lipids into the tear film by clearing obstructed meibomian glands is essential for patients with ocular surface disease or MGD.
Eyelid Debridement and Manual Expression Gaining Popularity
In-office procedures such as eyelid debridement and manual expression have gained popularity among doctors. Lid warming is a crucial first step in these procedures. The Eyedration mask, a sanitary, cost-efficient one-time-use product, is a convenient way to prepare the eyelids.
Eyedration maintains a minimum temperature of 104 degrees F, effectively heating and liquefying the meibum oil for therapeutic relief. The mask provides warmth for at least 8-10 minutes, with the benefits lasting up to 20 minutes.
Lid debridement involves mechanical scaling of the Line of Marx and the lid margin to remove keratin deposits that obstruct lipid expression to the ocular surface. These deposits can also predispose patients to blepharitis. Manual expression, performed for both diagnostic and treatment purposes, increases the production of quality meibum, reduces dry eye symptoms, and provides symptomatic relief. These procedures can have a synergistic effect when combined with other treatments that heat or express the glands, as noted by Dr. Paul Karpecki, OD.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Warming the lids prior to meibomian gland expression is a common technique used in the management of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is a chronic condition charac-terized by abnormal meibum, the oily substance secreted by the meibomian glands that helps lubricate the eyes. When meibum becomes thick and obstructs the glands, it can lead to dry eye symptoms, discomfort, and potential damage to the ocular surface.
In-office strategies not only enhance the efficacy of home-based lid hygiene measures but also extend the effectiveness of other therapeutic treatments. Eyedration by Bruder can be seamlessly incorporated into dry eye protocols as a pre-lid warming step prior to in-office treatments. It is also recommended for at-home use, serving as a portable and self-heating solution that complements existing moist heat compresses, like the Bruder mask, especially when traveling or when a microwave oven is not readily available.
Additional In-office professional use
- Offer EYEDRATION masks as a complementary service during eye exams or vision screenings, providing patients with a soothing and relaxing experience while waiting for their appointment.
- Use EYEDRATION masks during consultations or meetings with clients to create a calm and comfortable environment, helping them feel more at ease and engaged in the discussion.
- Provide EYEDRATION masks to employees working long hours on computers or in front of screens, helping to alleviate eye strain and promote relaxation during breaks.
Promoting patient compliance with at-home self-care is crucial. While patients typically spend an average of 22 minutes with their eye doctor, the way they manage their eye health at home significantly impacts the duration of treatment benefits. Eyedration’s self-heating, single-use, and portable benefits make it as easy as keeping a pouch in the office.