Dry Eye Prevention

As winners of the Queen’s Award for Innovation, we are delighted our patent has been granted for Sterileyes®. Sterileyes® is an antibacterial shield bound to the fibres of our fabrics, clinically proven to reduce bacteria by 99.%.

Our Sterileyes® fabric is antimicrobial to leading causative microorganisms of eye infections associated with dry eye development. Sue Grant, Managing Director of The Body Doctor adds:

“There are many false claims surrounding bacteria on compresses, we are led to believe that heating a compress will eliminate all bacteria but this is false. It is also believed that if the compress filling has antibacterial properties, bacteria will not survive on the cover applied to the eyes which is also wrong. In addition, most compresses now offer hot and cold usage and of course, no bacteria are killed when using cold. After a long arduous journey, through trials and testing, we feel our concerns for patients recommended a compress ladened with bacteria have been borne out. Particularly in this new world where people are more aware than ever of the risks of transference of bacteria and viruses. Several years ago we undertook the challenge of providing the safest, cleanest and most cost-effective treatment available for patients suffering with MGD, Blepharitis and evaporative Dry Eye Disease. We are delighted that this journey has concluded with the grant of the patent to do just that.”

Can Dry Eye Disease Cause Blindness?

“Yes, I believe this link has been shown in reports such as the DEWS report of 2007, other references to this can be found in certain textbooks (10) and in popular optometry and optician journals. The link between Dry eye Disease and loss of vision from Microbial keratitis is not an absolute as there are other innate immune mechanisms that do assist to protect the eye, however, it is believed that having Dry Eye Disease, and in particular severe Dry Eye Disease, is a risk to developing corneal infections.”

“There is research showing that reducing the bacterial load in subjects with anterior blepharitis or MGD significantly improved the clinical picture of the eyelid margin tissues including the Meibomian glands. (1) It is argued that in order to treat Meibomian gland disease you need to reduce the bacterial load – indeed Suzuki T propose that systemic (tablets) antibiotics are required for treatment to be successful (2). It is clear in conditions such as dry eye disease, there is an increase in the number of bacteria. Zhang et al conclude that this contributes to the disease process (3). It has also been shown that ‘the severity of MGD was positively correlated with a higher isolation rate, a greater number of bacterial species, and a higher grade of bacterial severity, which implied that MGD might be correlated with bacterial changes.’ (4) When looking at the difference in bacteria between healthy people and people with MGD, it was found that those suffering from MGD have a higher bacterial load. The bacteria produce specific toxins that can contribute to dry eye disease. (5) It has been shown that those with the most severe disease had the highest level of infection of Staphylococcus bacteria. (6) It is recognised that contamination of hot compresses used as management for MGD may “exacerbate” this condition. (7) It is abundantly clear that the higher the bacterial load in the eye, the more likely it is that their dry eye disease will be more severe. We are therefore confident to say that the device with the lowest number of bacteria will be the best product to use.” – Dr. Colin Parsloe

Laser eye surgery to prevent dry eyes

Why is an Antibacterial Hot Compress Such an Important Evolution in Managing Dry Eye Disease?
“There is research showing that reducing the bacterial load in subjects with anterior blepharitis or MGD significantly improved the clinical picture of the eyelid margin tissues including the Meibomian glands. (1) It is argued that in order to treat Meibomian gland disease you need to reduce the bacterial load – indeed Suzuki T propose that systemic (tablets) antibiotics are required for treatment to be successful (2). It is clear in conditions such as dry eye disease, there is an increase in the number of bacteria. Zhang et al conclude that this contributes to the disease process (3). It has also been shown that ‘the severity of MGD was positively correlated with a higher isolation rate, a greater number of bacterial species, and a higher grade of bacterial severity, which implied that MGD might be correlated with bacterial changes.’ (4) When looking at the difference in bacteria between healthy people and people with MGD, it was found that those suffering from MGD have a higher bacterial load. The bacteria produce specific toxins that can contribute to dry eye disease. (5) It has been shown that those with the most severe disease had the highest level of infection of Staphylococcus bacteria. (6) It is recognised that contamination of hot compresses used as management for MGD may “exacerbate” this condition. (7) It is abundantly clear that the higher the bacterial load in the eye, the more likely it is that their dry eye disease will be more severe. We are therefore confident to say that the device with the lowest number of bacteria will be the best product to use.” – Dr. Colin Parsloe