Eyelid hygiene as a tool for prevention and treatment of complications due to ocular surface diseases in early post-LASIK period

<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: to analyze the effect of eyelid hygiene and therapy on early post-op period following excimer laser refractive surgery.<br /><strong>Methods</strong>: 144 patients (288 eyes) aged 18-57 yrs who underwent excimer laser vision correction (LASIK) were followed. All patients were divided into two groups depending on therapy. In treatment group (70 patients/140 eyes), eyelid hygiene was prescribed 7 days before and 7 days again following refractive surgery for 1 or 2 months. In control group (74 patients/148 eyes), no eyelid hygiene was prescribed.<br /><strong>Results</strong>: Complex method of eyelid hygiene and therapy was developed that consisted in eyelid margins self-massage using Blepharogel 1 or Blepharogel 2 and warm compresses using Blepharopads impregnated with Blepharolotion. When using in combina- tion with antibacterial and tear replacement therapy, this method provides significant decrease in infectious complications rate and effective recovery of tear production in early post-op period following excimer laser surgery. these observations are confirmed by the dynamics of clinical, functional and subjective parameters.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong>: 7-days eyelid hygiene and therapy course that is prescribed immediately before and following laser vision correction<br />provides multi-factorial effect, i.e., reduces post-op inflammatory complications rate and increases tear film stability.