BlephEx Eyelid Cleaning Treatment Surrey | Look Optometry
Eyelid Health · Surrey, BC
Clean lids.
Clearer, more comfortable
eyes.
BlephEx is a professional in-office eyelid cleaning treatment that removes the biofilm, bacteria, and debris your at-home routine simply can't reach — the root cause of blepharitis and chronic dry eye.
Single Session $350
Book BlephEx Treatment → Learn More
Newton & Guildford Locations
No Referral Needed
Same-Week Appointments
New Patients Welcome
See It In Action
How BlephEx works
Official BlephEx animation — the same technology used at Look Optometry Surrey
What Is BlephEx?
The buildup your
drops can't fix
Along your eyelid margins, a thin layer of biofilm, scurf, and bacterial waste accumulates over time. This buildup clogs meibomian glands, triggers inflammation, and is one of the most common — and overlooked — causes of chronic dry eye and blepharitis.
BlephEx uses a precision micro-sponge to gently exfoliate and clean the eyelid margin, removing years of buildup in a single 20-minute session. Think of it as a professional deep clean — like a dental hygiene appointment, but for your eyelids.
Treatment Time
20
Minutes
Painless. In-office.
No downtime required.
Results felt within days.
No downtime required.
Results felt within days.
The Process
What to expect
at your appointment
01
Eyelid Assessment
Your doctor examines your eyelid margins to assess biofilm buildup, gland health, and inflammation before treatment.
02
Precision Cleaning
A sterile micro-sponge rotates gently along the eyelid margin, removing scurf, biofilm, and bacterial debris that home hygiene can't reach.
03
Meibomian Gland Care
Clearing the eyelid margin allows meibomian glands to function properly — restoring the oily layer essential for tear stability.
04
Your At-Home Plan
Your doctor builds a personalized maintenance routine — HOCl spray, lid wipes, and nutritional guidance — to protect your results long-term.
Who It Helps
Is BlephEx right
for you?
BlephEx is especially effective for patients experiencing any of the following:
Blepharitis
Chronic eyelid inflammation caused by bacterial overgrowth and biofilm — BlephEx treats the source directly.
Chronic Dry Eye
When eyelid buildup is contributing to dry eye symptoms, BlephEx is often the missing piece of the puzzle.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Clearing the eyelid margin helps restore gland function, improving tear oil production and quality.
Contact Lens Discomfort
Lid buildup is a major cause of contact lens intolerance — cleaner lids mean more comfortable wear.
Itchy or Irritated Eyes
Bacterial exotoxins along the lid margin cause persistent itching and redness that drops alone won't resolve.
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Clean eyelids reduce infection risk and improve outcomes for cataract and refractive surgery patients.
After Your BlephEx Treatment
Your at-home maintenance plan
BlephEx cleans the slate. What you do at home between sessions determines how long your results last. Your doctor will recommend the right products for your specific condition — here's what the best maintenance routines include.
Daily · Morning & Evening
HOCl Eyelid Spray
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a molecule your own immune system produces naturally to fight bacteria. In spray form it reduces bacterial load by up to 90% — but here's the important part: HOCl cannot penetrate or destroy Demodex eggs. Mites lay eggs deep in follicles, and without in-office treatment to physically remove them, the cycle continues. HOCl is a powerful maintenance tool — not a standalone cure.
- Kills active bacteria and prevents biofilm from rebuilding
- Reduces eyelid inflammation gently and safely
- Helps meibomian glands stay clear between BlephEx sessions
- No burning, stinging, or preservatives — safe for daily use
- Works best as part of a complete treatment plan with your doctor
HOCl spray maintains your BlephEx results — it doesn't replace them. Ask your doctor about Optase, I-Lid 'n Lash, or Bruder HOCl spray options available at Look Optometry.
Daily · Especially for Demodex
Tea Tree Oil Lid Wipes
Tea tree oil (from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant) is the only natural ingredient proven to eliminate Demodex mites — microscopic parasites that live in eyelash follicles and are a major hidden cause of chronic blepharitis and dry eye that many patients don't know they have.
- Eliminates Demodex mites and prevents re-infestation
- Reduces collarettes — the waxy buildup at lash bases
- Anti-inflammatory: calms redness and eyelid swelling
- Pre-moistened wipes make daily use simple and consistent
- Studies show significant mite reduction in as little as 4 weeks
We recommend I-Lid 'n Lash Plus (5% TTO) for Demodex cases. Ask your doctor which strength is right for you.
Daily · 10 Minutes
Warm Compress Therapy
Heat softens the thickened oils in blocked meibomian glands, allowing them to flow freely and stabilize your tear film. Combined with BlephEx and lid hygiene, a consistent warm compress routine dramatically improves outcomes for meibomian gland dysfunction.
- Melts hardened meibum that clogs gland openings
- Improves tear film quality and comfort immediately
- Use a Bruder mask or similar microwaveable compress
- 10 minutes daily gives best results
- Pairs perfectly with HOCl spray applied right after
Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compresses are available at Look Optometry. Reusable and easy to use at home.
Better Together
Why most patients need
more than one treatment
BlephEx cleans the eyelid surface — but dry eye is rarely one-dimensional. For patients with significant meibomian gland dysfunction or persistent inflammation, combining BlephEx with IPL therapy delivers results that neither treatment can achieve alone.
Step 1
BlephEx
Physically removes biofilm, bacterial debris, and Demodex waste from the eyelid margin. Clears the foundation so other treatments can work properly.
Eyelid surface · Bacteria · Biofilm
Step 2
IPL Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light targets the blood vessels driving eyelid inflammation and stimulates meibomian gland function — addressing the root cause at a cellular level that no spray or wipe can reach.
Inflammation · Meibomian glands · Root cause
Combined Result
BlephEx + IPL
Clean lids + reduced inflammation + restored gland function. Most patients in a combination protocol experience significantly better and longer-lasting relief than either treatment alone.
Comprehensive relief · Longer-lasting results
Ask us about combination treatment
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Your doctor will build a plan at your assessment.
Your doctor will build a plan at your assessment.
Nutrition & Dry Eye
What you eat
affects your eyes
Most patients are surprised to learn that diet plays a direct role in the health of their meibomian glands and the quality of their tears. The right nutritional support — alongside BlephEx and at-home hygiene — can significantly reduce dry eye inflammation from the inside out.
The omega-3 connection
Meibomian glands use omega-3 fatty acids to produce the oily layer of your tears. When you're omega-3 deficient — which most Canadians are — the gland secretions become thick, waxy, and prone to blockage. Supplementing with EPA and DHA has been shown in multiple studies to improve meibum quality, increase tear break-up time, and reduce ocular surface inflammation. Think of omega-3 as internal lubrication for your eyes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
EPA + DHA · The most important
EPA and DHA are the active omega-3s your meibomian glands use directly. They reduce eyelid inflammation, improve gland secretion quality, and increase tear film stability. Studies show consistent supplementation leads to meaningful improvement in dry eye symptoms over 3 months.
Flaxseed Oil
ALA Omega-3 · Plant-based option
Flaxseed oil is rich in ALA, a plant-based omega-3 that the body converts to EPA. A one-year study using 6g of flaxseed daily showed significant improvements in meibomian gland health, tear break-up time, and all dry eye symptoms — as well as reduced risk of gland damage from inflammation.
Vitamin D
Immune + Anti-inflammatory
Vitamin D deficiency — extremely common in Canada due to limited sun exposure — has been linked to increased ocular surface inflammation and worsening dry eye. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune response that drives blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Antioxidants
Vitamins A, C, E · Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Oxidative stress plays a role in meibomian gland degeneration. Antioxidants protect gland tissue and the ocular surface from damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin are particularly well-studied for eye health and are found in high concentration in the macula — but also benefit the ocular surface.
Hydration
The simplest intervention
Chronic mild dehydration is one of the most overlooked contributors to dry eye. Adequate water intake supports the aqueous component of your tear film. Reducing caffeine and alcohol — both dehydrating — and increasing water to 8+ glasses daily can noticeably improve comfort between treatments.
Foods to Reduce
Pro-inflammatory triggers
A diet high in omega-6 fatty acids competes with omega-3s and promotes inflammation. Processed foods, vegetable oils, red meat, and refined sugars all tip the balance toward more ocular surface inflammation — worsening blepharitis and MGD symptoms between treatments.
Investment
Simple, transparent pricing
BlephEx Single Session
$350
per treatment · CAD
- Full eyelid margin cleaning — both eyes
- Pre-treatment eyelid assessment
- Personalized at-home maintenance plan
- HOCl spray + lid wipe recommendations
- Nutritional guidance for dry eye support
- Combinable with IPL or LipiFlow therapy
Most patients benefit from a maintenance session every 6–12 months.
Ask your doctor if BlephEx is the right starting point for your dry eye care.
Common Questions
What patients
ask us most
Does BlephEx hurt?
BlephEx is generally very well tolerated. Most patients feel only a mild tickling sensation. Your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to the eyelid margins beforehand to ensure comfort throughout the treatment.
How long does the treatment take?
The procedure itself takes approximately 20 minutes. You should plan for a total appointment time of around 45–60 minutes including the pre-treatment assessment and post-treatment guidance.
Is there any downtime after BlephEx?
No downtime is required. Your eyes may feel slightly sensitive immediately after treatment, but most patients return to their normal activities right away. We recommend avoiding eye makeup for 24 hours post-treatment.
How soon will I notice results?
Many patients notice improvement in comfort and reduced irritation within a few days. Optimal results typically develop over 2–4 weeks as inflammation subsides and gland function improves. Combining BlephEx with at-home HOCl spray and warm compresses accelerates the results.
How often do I need BlephEx?
Most patients benefit from a maintenance session every 6–12 months, depending on the severity of lid margin disease. Patients with active Demodex or heavy biofilm may need more frequent treatment initially. Your doctor will recommend the right frequency.
What are Demodex mites and do I have them?
Demodex are microscopic mites that live in eyelash follicles. They're extremely common — studies suggest over 50% of adults have them, and nearly everyone over 60. In small numbers they're harmless, but overpopulation triggers chronic blepharitis and dry eye. Signs include itchy lids, cylindrical dandruff at lash bases, and symptoms that don't respond to drops. Tea tree oil lid wipes are the most effective treatment.
Can BlephEx be combined with other dry eye treatments?
Absolutely. BlephEx works very well alongside IPL therapy and LipiFlow treatment. Many of our patients receive a combination approach — BlephEx for eyelid hygiene, IPL for inflammation, and LipiFlow for meibomian gland expression. Your doctor will recommend the best protocol for your specific condition.
Should I take omega-3 supplements for dry eye?
Omega-3 supplementation is one of the most evidence-backed nutritional interventions for dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. We generally recommend high-quality fish oil (EPA + DHA) or flaxseed oil for patients with blepharitis and MGD. Talk to your doctor about the right dose — and always check with your family doctor if you're on blood thinners or other medications.
Is BlephEx covered by insurance?
BlephEx is typically not covered by provincial health plans (MSP) as it is a specialized dry eye procedure. Some extended health plans may provide partial coverage — we recommend checking with your provider. Our team is happy to provide documentation to support your claim.
Ready for cleaner,
healthier lids?
Book your BlephEx appointment at Look Optometry. Same-week availability at both Surrey locations — no referral needed.
Book Your BlephEx Appointment →Newton · Guildford · Surrey, BC