Optrex eye drops containing benzalkonium chloride

Hi Lynda, First of all I wouldn't put anything like that in my eyes without asking your eye dr. first.  I ended up getting a horrible staff infection in one of my eyes last month & it was quite painful.  Had to use a lot of medication eye drops in them & frequent visits to the eye dr.  It was a miracle that I didn't lose my eye sight.  If you're going to use wipes, try Germ X antibacteria alcohol free soft wipes that are moisturizing with vitamin E.  These seemed much better cleaning my eye lids than wet wpes which burned & smelled like crazy.  I ended up getting a rash underneath my eyes when I used the wet wipes.  You can smell the alcohol & chemicals a mile away from them.  The Germ X is much gentler.  I got mine from Walmart.  $1.98 for a canister of 40 wipes! 

Dear Lisa,

I was just letting people know how I killed the staphylococcus that caused the Blepharitis on my eyes. My friend used a product with Benzethonium Chloride in it and killed hers in a matter of days. They reformulated that product so looked on line for something else with that in it.

I was desperate as mine involved a lot of itching. Drove me crazy. It worked for me but there are those who have sensitive skin and are allergic to shampoos and detergents and fabric softeners and even spermicidal jellies that cannot use them.

I was determined to kill it and it took over 3 months. Has 4 doctors that could not find it in my eyes.

I tried the baby shamoo and antibiotic (in the eyes) three time.

Bottom line is that if people can kill this with an over the counter product then there is an antibiotic that can do it too.

Problem is they are putting antibiotics in the eye and not on the lashes where the infection is really at. There are some doctors who do put it on the lashes (called off-label use). It probably is not long enough, though to kill it.

Hope this info helps you in some way.

Lynda79 

Lynda-My Cornea specialist looked at the Wet Ones and told me to continue if it was working for me. When I don't use the wipes on my lashes (only) after a few days, they itch and water.

 

Dear Kathy,

I found that this had to be a daily thing for several months to kill it. After a short time I felt better and ended up using them for 2 times day for 2 months more. When I stopped and it itched a little in a spot I jumped on it with the wipes for a day or two. That happened 2 times when I quit after the 3 month or more of using the wipes.

The .3% of Benzethonium Chloride takes time as not very strong to kill it.

I have not had a problem since until I used mascara the normal way. Used the wipes one day and gone. I have not used mascara again that way. I always use a throw away mascara wand now. I just use the same wand on both eyes. I just never put a used wand into the mascara.

I still have dry eyes and use preservative free eye drops for lubrication. Fear is a great teacher for me. I try to be careful not to infect my eyes with anything. I use an antibacterial soap (bar) if I feel I did anything just to be on the safe side.

Thank you for letting me know about what the doctor said. I have a doctor who wants to hear the experiences so I e-mail him a few now and then. He is a GP, though.

I hope you can kill this off with regular attention and don't give up. If you start and stop it won't kill it from my experience with it.

Wish you success,

Lynda79

Hi Lynda79

I've been using Wet Ones as described in your post and in other posts and added Azasite to my regimen when I saw little improvement.

I also bought a salicylic foaming face wash after reading about possible demodex mites being at the root

of my bleph.

Her's my question: do I continue with Wet Ones throughtout any other treatments for the 3 months hoping that's the one that will cure my bleph? Or am I doing too much?

I also spray my beddi g with a lavender tea tree oil solution and cHange my plow cases every other day. Have seen some improvement in dry eye symptom but eyes are as red as ever.

Also, please send the other info you said to ask for In your post.

Thanks so mu h for caring about bleph sufferers even after you've been cured.

Dear Agnes,

The wipes kill staph and also tea tree oil will too. The ratio was posted by Ttintin25 on this site.

I can only say what helped me as I did not use too much other stuff other than antibiotics and baby shampoo which did not help much.

My lashes were clean.

You can use mascara while killing it. You just have to use throw away ones bought online. Buy new mascara and makeup. Never double dip. Always put a clean wand in and use one for each eye.

Always wash each eye with a seperate washcloth so as to not reinfect your eyes. This was put online by a doctor too.

I still use a new wand each time but will use it on both eyes after the Bleph was gone. I think I got it from old mascara. I now buy new each month.

When you think it is gone after 3 months be watchful and any symptoms jump on it right away for a couple of days more. I did that twice and then it was gone for good. It is hard to kill.

I hope this is what you wanted. Let me know if I missed anything.

Lynda79

You have helped so many people and give good advice. I started out using the WeOnes and it really helped a lot. It was my Optomologist who wanted me to stop thinking it might be too strong and switched me to Avenova spray. 

I was hard pressed to give up the WetOnes and often wonder if it would cure rather than maintain my Bleph. Have you been symptom free all this time since you stopped treating or do you use the WetOnes on occasion if you feel the need?

My Dr also switched me to Avenova and it worked NO better than several of the cheaper alternatives including Wet Ones, even the Equate version, along with Ocusoft Plus lid scrubs, eyelid sprays and foam! Remember too that these critters can live in our tear ducts and other parts of the eye. I never had a problem until I had tear duct plugs put in years ago. This started the process and I know a few amount of these are normal but not in the eye and not in huge amounts! Sincerely, pippiLee

Hi Lynda, I am newly dignosed with Blepharitis. What questions should I ask? All I got is standard instructions; warm compress, massage and clean eye lids with baby shampoo. My eyes get inflammed at night and I wake up and cannot sleep. During the day it is tolerable.  I started using Wet Ones for 3 times a day. Is that OK or I need to find out what kind of bacteria is in the eye?  I have no idea what questions to ask. Thanks,  

Dear shortwoman,

The Wet Ones I used were the US ones and have .3% Benzethonium Chloride in them. Honjon, on this site, used the UK wipes with Benzalkonium Chloride in them and I think he killed it as he doesn't post any longer.

Look online for the causes of blepharitis. I found it to be staphylococcus infection. The Quats in the wipes kill that (Benzethonium Chloride and Benzalkonium Chloride are Quats).

I used mascara and killed it at the same time. I bought throw away wands online. I bought new makeup and mascara. Never dip a used anything into the new.

I used 2 wash cloths to clean my eyes (makeup or whatever). The white washcloths I found to be better as could wash in a bleach load.

If a person has sensitive skin or is allergic to shampoo, detergents, fabric softeners, handwipes or even spermicidal jellies they should not use them. About 80% of people can use these.

Once your eyes feel better then you can go down to 2 times a day but it does take months to kill this off.

Hope I have answered some of your questions. Let me know if I need to add more.

Lynda79

 

Hi lynda79, I am in US. I got them yesterday. I will start using them.  Can I start with 3 times a day?  I am not allergic.  I am newly diagnosed. Can you plesae help me out with warm compress/cleaning/massage routine? My husband says I am doing to much and too hard.  I have looked too many youtube videos and post on this site to figure it out. May be I need demostration.

Hi Shortwoman,

  I am so sorry you have this too.  It is unbeliveable how many people are being diagnosed.  I feel that a large portion of society have it and it is just a matter of time, when it erupts-kinda like a volcano.

  A cornea MD diagnosed mine after my opthamologist treated me 2 or 3 mos for pink-eye. The cornea specialist said it can never be cured, but can be maintained. 

  I was a person who wore  eye make-up and I actually feel that I may have used some longer than the 6 mos they recommend.  You know, how you might grab an older eye shadow pallette one morning without thinkig about it's age. Also, I always cleaned my face and removed make-up, but must admit sometimes, I may have not cleaned my lashes as well as I should have. The Dr also said it is hereditary, although I don't think either of my parents have it. He said it goes hand in hand with rosacea and he said I have some of that- I neverknew. My dermatologist didn't agree with this. The wet ones really help me and also. I use the occusoft eye lid scrubs I purchased in Walmart in Va.

I use those after removeing eye make-up But this, I wash over with a white cloth afterwards.  The wet ones, I put only on mu lashes and leave it on.  Then I use my eye drops- Systane Balance throughout the day.  When I stop using the wet ones for a couple days, my eyes are worse. I immediately start the routine again. I had started telling you about eye make-up and rambles without finishing what I wanted to tell you.  I too only use disposable wands-which I ordered online- got a large supply from China very inexpensive. I never wear eyeliner o the upper lid anymore either.  Sorry I have rambles so much I haven't been on here in awhile.  But I don't know what I would have done without these kind and helpful peeps. Hugs

Dear Shortwoman,

My doctor said that the heated (I use washcloth) item is to get things moving. I do it by wetting it and putting it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Have to cool down a little and lay on my eyes.

I think it helps dry eyes to get things up and going.

Anything you use on your eyes need to be cleaned as can reinfect yourself. I use it once then wash.

One eye can start getting better before the other too so don't reinfect.

I would have been using the honey or anything else someone said helped if the wipes did not kill it.

I feel bad that some are allergic to the wipes. That got me researching as to why they were allergic.

Just lay the hot or warm rag on eyes. Don't use wipes right afterwards as someone said it bothered their eyes.

Hope this helps.

Lynda79

Hi Lynda79

Hope this finds you well. As you know i have been using the wet ones sensitive (light blue packet) but when i went to buy some more i was told in the shop that they take them off the shelves because they only put them out when they put the suncream out in the summer!!! So now i have try and find some others that is just as good and my eyes have been really well since i have been using them!! I dont want to go back to the old routine of baby shampoo and cooled boiled water(i refuse to go back to that) What makes them think that people only use them in summer or when the suncream is on sale? Have you tried optrex for itchy eyes? I am using optrex for tired eyes at the moment.Anyway how is your friend that you go and see i hope she is well. I hope to hear from you soon and you take care

jeanette xx

Hi Lynda79

Hope this finds you well. As you know i have been using the wet ones sensitive (light blue packet) but when i went to buy some more i was told in the shop that they take them off the shelves because they only put them out when they put the suncream out in the summer!!! So now i have try and find some others that is just as good and my eyes have been really well since i have been using them!! I dont want to go back to the old routine of baby shampoo and cooled boiled water(i refuse to go back to that) What makes them think that people only use them in summer or when the suncream is on sale? Have you tried optrex for itchy eyes? I am using optrex for tired eyes at the moment.Anyway how is your friend that you go and see i hope she is well. I hope to hear from you soon and you take care

jeanette xx

Hi Lynda79

Hope this finds you well. As you know i have been using the wet ones sensitive (light blue packet) but when i went to buy some more i was told in the shop that they take them off the shelves because they only put them out when they put the suncream out in the summer!!! So now i have try and find some others that is just as good and my eyes have been really well since i have been using them!! I dont want to go back to the old routine of baby shampoo and cooled boiled water(i refuse to go back to that) What makes them think that people only use them in summer or when the suncream is on sale? Have you tried optrex for itchy eyes? I am using optrex for tired eyes at the moment.Anyway how is your friend that you go and see i hope she is well. I hope to hear from you soon and you take care

jeanette xx

Hi Lynda79

Hope this finds you well. As you know i have been using the wet ones sensitive (light blue packet) but when i went to buy some more i was told in the shop that they take them off the shelves because they only put them out when they put the suncream out in the summer!!! So now i have try and find some others that is just as good and my eyes have been really well since i have been using them!! I dont want to go back to the old routine of baby shampoo and cooled boiled water(i refuse to go back to that) What makes them think that people only use them in summer or when the suncream is on sale? Have you tried optrex for itchy eyes? I am using optrex for tired eyes at the moment.Anyway how is your friend that you go and see i hope she is well. I hope to hear from you soon and you take care

jeanette xx

Dear Jeanette,

You can order the red ones online from drugstores. Chemist in UK.

I am going every other day or more to see that she is OK. I am dealing with a person who is toxic. She is cruel and sneaky to someone who is really really old.

I was told, for example, I had to buy her clothes that were button up. She has a contraction problems. I rebought tops. Yet, when I go in there she is in a top (which has not been in the closet for 6 weeks as I have been checking it) that is not button up and the ones I bought are hanging in the closet.

I think she is needling me and trying to hurt someone who is too old to say anything. Before that, she was not putting her in the nightgowns I bought (special one for people in rest homes I ordered online from New York) and making her sleep in a shirt and diaper only.

I keep complaining and she keeps coming up with new games.

I have to battle for her as she has no children. My girls help me out too by going by and one cuts her hair. People do need friends at least one.

Did those blue ones have .3% Benzethonium Chloride in them? Any less of a Quat may not kill the Blepharitis. Check online and buy what you need all at once and may be able to kill it.

Sure hope you do as I know this is miserable. I still do the warm rag on my eyes (when I remember) and use lots of preservative free drops for lubrication.

Sure hope to hear that you are doing better soon.

Your friend,

Lynda79

Hi Lynda, Do I have to use mascra? I usually do not wear them and do not use eye make-up.  Is that necessary to kill bacteria? Hpw do I know that I have staphylococcus or mites bacterias? Is there a test for it?

Dear Shortwoman,

No, you do not need to use mascara. It is just that so many think they cannot wear it  and kill the Blepharitis and  that is why I post how I did that (with the help from my daughters).

I read online that 100% of people over the age of 90 have demodex. My friend in a home has yellow gunk on her eyes. I wash them off everytime. The wipes helped her but I use only water now as her skin is so thin and cannot kill it unless done everyday.

If the wipes help you, you will know if it is a bacterial infection.

If you read what people post it show how it presents itself in various ways. I saw this online too.

My friend who used the facial scrub to kill her Blepharitis had red patches going up on her eyelids (where you wear eyeshadow). I had terrible itching.

Benzethonium Chloride killed both with 2 different products too.

You can have the doctor test for it but online it said it was a cause of Blepharitis. Look online for causes of Blepharitis.

Look up Quats and Benzethonium Chloride and Benzalkonium Chloride  too. Look up mites and see the pictures of it too.

The more you educate yourself the less afraid you will be.

If it is mites, that BlephEx machine can help with the cleaning of your eyes. They use tea  tree oil on the machine but it is watered down.

Look that up too and you can see examples on the video.

Hope this info helps you a little,

Lynda79

This helps a lot.  Thank You so much! I started using wipes. I do not have inch, but burning sensation and feels like something is in the eye. Eyes are vey red, lids are inflammed and skin is very hard and red.  It has gone up from eye lids too.  Thanks for all your help.  I will have to find another eye doctor. I went to two so far and they did not explain a thing and come back in 6 months.  Does anyone know a good eye doctor in Central MA area? Thanks again. I will let you know my progress.

Dear Shortwoman,

Someone from Colorado had the red eye problem and after 2 weeks she said they were actually looking white. She had the problem for 6 years and had to teach in the medical field so was embarrassed withher red eyes. She told me it was a $20.00 cure.

Hope this encourages you,

Lynda79

I need to use eye drops as my eyes are dry.  I have rosacea and eye dr. Said it is in my eyes as well.  What eye drops do you use or recommend?

I have never heard of throw away wands for mascara.  Where do I get these? I guess I just keep the wand that comes in the mascara to keep the mascara closed and just dip a new wand in everyday.  Is this correct?

Dear jacqueline,

I order online to get the mascara wands. I buy them by the hundreds. Yes, I use the wand that comes with it as a lid. You can buy mascara that has a lid and the wand comes with it. That is a little easier to use. 

Be sure and use a new wand every time in your mascara and one for each eye. 

Now that my blepharitis is gone I stil use the wands but use one for both eyes now. When I was killing it with the wipes, I used 1 wand for each eye. The same method for washing my eyes too. I used 2 wash cloths, 1 for each eye so as not to reinfect the eyes. 

Hope this helps,

Lynda79