Proper daily eye hygiene is the best ally of our eye health.
The eyes are a precious asset that puts us in touch with the world and is essential to fully enjoy colours, light and all the beautiful things in life. Not everyone, however, is fully aware of the many needs and dangers that could threaten their health.
Many people use contact lenses and almost all women make up their eyes with cosmetics, but how many know that cleaning them thoroughly and gently every day is indispensable to keep them healthy, both at home and when travelling?
Moreover, we all use smartphones, PCs and tablets and often spend many hours staring at these digital devices, inseparable companions in our daily lives. This prolonged use often becomes the cause of visual fatigue, red eyes, burning and dry eyes.
Let us summarise some important information for our readers.
Ocular hygiene: why is it so necessary?
Let us begin by clarifying that the surface of our eyes and eyelids are at high risk of contamination and proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms.
This vulnerable condition is linked to a number of factors, first and foremost the predominantly aqueous nature of the microenvironment of the eyelids and ocular surface.
In addition, it can often result in the presence of excessively oily or viscous secretions, which partially or completely obstruct the Meibomian glands, which are very important in the correct balance of the tear film that lines, nourishes and protects the surface of our eyes.
Small crusts and keratinised substances due to normal cell turnover can then accumulate on the eyelashes and eyelid margins.
Some advice
Unfortunately, washing with soap and water alone does not ensure effective cleaning of the eyelid margin.
In addition, the use of wet cotton or non-specific cotton pads can lead to discomfort and irritation from the microfilaments released by the cotton or the surface of the pads being too rough, and therefore irritating, or too smooth, and therefore not thoroughly cleansed.
Rather, it is advisable to use specific sterile disposable wipes, free of parabens and perfumes, which are more suitable for daily periocular hygiene.
Sterile wipes, properly chilled in the refrigerator, can also be used to soothe discomfort caused by prolonged use of smartphones, PCs and tablets.
In the case of children and especially infants, who have not yet fully developed their natural self-defence systems, thorough periocular cleansing is even more important to remove conjunctival mucous secretions, which are often present on eyelids and eyelashes, especially in the morning, causing irritation of the delicate skin of the infant.
In addition, in the newborn baby, practising gentle massages with specific sterile wipes, as well as providing a feeling of well-being, can facilitate the correct canalisation of the naso-lacrimal duct.
If the ophthalmologist has then diagnosed conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or another infectious or externally inflammatory eye disease, it is advisable to clean the eyelid rim thoroughly to remove any debris at the base of the eyelashes in order to promote healing and prevent the infection from becoming chronic or worsening.
In the case of a stye or chalazion, warm compresses (T 40° for 5 minutes) with sterile towels or warm compresses, gently massaging the eyelids, may be useful to aid their resolution.
Lastly, in patients who have to undergo eye surgery, both pre- and post-operatively, thorough periocular cleansing is absolutely essential, to prepare the area for surgery and to prevent post-operative infectious complications with proper periocular hygiene between dressings.
In all cases where appropriate hygiene of the eye area is required, the new Klimì line of sterile, fragrance- and paraben-free disposable cleansing wipes is available in pharmacies.
The Klimì line includes three different medical devices: Klimì Med, Klimì Daily and Klimì Baby, specifically designed for even daily hygiene and restoration of the physiological conditions of the periocular area of adults and children.
Klimì Med is specifically designed for hygiene of the periocular area in the case of inflammatory and infectious processes in the eye and/or eyelids and also in combination with medical therapy before and after eye surgery.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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