If you’ve been struggling with chronic dry eyes, irritated eyelids, crusting along the lash line,
recurrent styes, or blepharitis that never seems to fully go away, the root cause may be hiding
right along your eyelid margins.
That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive “Eye Deep Cleaning Protocol” that combines
three powerful treatments in one visit:
Together, these treatments help restore a healthier eyelid environment by removing biofilm,
debris bacteria, mites and overall improving meibomian gland function and inflammation that
contributes to dry eye disease.
ZEST is a professional eyelid debridement treatment that uses a natural okra-based gel
formulation to remove accumulated debris from the eyelid margins and lashes.
What ZEST Targets
Demodex mites commonly live in eyelash follicles. In some patients, they become
overpopulated and trigger inflammation, itching, redness, and chronic blepharitis. One of the
hallmark signs of Demodex infestation is the presence of collarettes, a waxy debris that forms
around the base of the lashes.
Staphylococcal bacteria is also commonly found on the skin of healthy eyelids, similar to the
mites if there is an excessive population of this bacteria, they can induce inflammation that
leads to worsening of dry eye signs and symptoms. As they multiply they can produce a slimy
matrix to protect themselves. This matrix consists of a thin layer of bacteria, fat molecules, and
skin cells that accumulate on your eyelid margins. This is known as biofilm and is very similar to
the plaque that can build up in our teeth.
ZEST helps loosen and remove all of these buildup and improve overall inflammation around
the eyelash follicles and eyelid margins.
You may feel light pressure, scrubbing, or brushing along the lash line, but the treatment is
generally tolerable. Your eye is numbed so it makes the process more comfortable.
Some patients have described getting ZEST can feel ticklish with some pressure as their lashes
are being scrubbed.
As the debris is removed, we often observe improvement of the collarettes lifting off the lashes
and improved visibility of meibomian gland openings.
After the lid margins have been loosened and cleaned with ZEST, we move on to Rinsada.
Rinsada utilizes a device that can administer a stream of sterile saline to cleanse the fornixes of
your eyelids that aren’t typically easy to clean out on a daily basis.
What Rinsada Targets
Think of Rinsada as a pressure wash for the eyelids specifically designed for the delicate ocular
surface.
Even after manual cleaning, microscopic debris can remain trapped within the crevices of the lid
margin. Rinsada helps flush away these remaining contaminants while improving the
cleanliness of the ocular surface.
Most patients report rinsada feeling like a quick rush of cooling sensation and mild pressure as
the saline is being delivered.
Because sterile saline is used throughout the procedure, most patients find the treatment
comfortable and refreshing.
Many patients comment that their eyes feel cleaner immediately afterward.
The last step involves clearing out the eye’s natural drainage system, the tear ducts. Tears must
drain properly through tiny ducts called the puncta, located in the inner corners of the upper and
lower eyelids. These openings connect to a network of channels that carry tears from the eyes
into the nose.
Over time, inflammation, debris, mucus, or biofilm can contribute to partial blockage within this
drainage system. When this occurs, tears may not flow efficiently, resulting in symptoms such
as excessive tearing, irritation, recurrent eye infections, or persistent inflammation around the
eyelids.
Irrigation of the tear ducts thoroughly flushes away any remaining loosened debris and
inflammatory material.
The procedure begins with the application of anesthetic eye drops to ensure comfort. A small
instrument is then used to gently dilate (open) the punctum, allowing access to the tear drainage
system.
Next, a sterile saline solution is carefully flushed through the tear duct using a specialized
irrigation cannula. This allows us to evaluate whether the drainage pathway is open and
functioning properly while simultaneously helping to remove accumulated debris and mucus.
As the saline is flushed patients will feel it go down their nasal passage and down their throat.
The saline is safe to swallow.
Most patients say this step feels like getting water stuck in their nose during swimming. Patients
rarely complain of any pain or discomfort, just mild pressure in the inner corner of the eyes.
Because the saline does run down their throat some may even feel a gag reflex. The process is
generally quick and well tolerated.
Click the link below to see how the procedure is done:
Dilation and Irrigation of Tear Ducts
Think of your eyelids like your teeth. Even if you brush daily, plaque can still accumulate and
require professional cleaning. The same thing happens along the eyelid margins and fornixes.
This buildup can clog the meibomian glands—the oil glands responsible for producing the
protective oil layer of your tears.
When these glands become blocked, tears evaporate more quickly, leading to symptoms such
as:
Our deep cleaning protocol targets the underlying causes of these symptoms rather than simply
masking them. This protocol is especially helpful for patients with Demodex Blepharitis, Anterior
Blepharitis, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and Chronic Styes.
Healthy tears start with healthy eyelids.
Our Eye Deep Cleaning Protocol combines ZEST, Rinsada, and therapeutic duct irrigation to reduce inflammatory response that contribute to chronic dry eye and its associated conditions.
By addressing the source of inflammation directly, this treatment helps create a cleaner,
healthier environment for the meibomian glands and ocular surface. The result is often improved
comfort, better tear quality, and a noticeable reduction in symptoms.
For patients dealing with chronic blepharitis, Demodex, biofilm accumulation, or persistent dry
eye symptoms, a professional eyelid deep cleaning may be an effective way to reset the ocular
surface and support long-term eye health.
By: Lucy Ton, OD
If your eyes are constantly itchy, red, irritated, crusty, or dry — and artificial tears...
Read More
If you've been struggling with chronic dry eyes, irritated eyelids, crusting along the lash line,recurrent...
Read More
If you’ve been exploring advanced treatments for dry eye or ocular surface disease, you’ve probably...
Read More