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Eyelid Invaders: What You Need To Know About Demodex, Mites, and Blepharitis
Hi Friends,
I want to let you know that I will be speaking along with 80 other speakers at The Real Truth About Health Free 17-Day Live Online Conference April 5 – April 21, 2024. I will be speaking at the following times and taking live questions. I look forward to speaking with you.
Individual Lecture (live online presentation) – Sam Berne O.D. – The Eyes Never Lie: What Your Vision Reveals About Your Health
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Panel 63 – Natural Vision: Unveiling Holistic Strategies for Lifelong Eye Health – Saturday, Apr 12, 2025, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Sam Berne O.D. – Vital Vision: Clear Vision Naturally
Please sign up to watch these free lectures.
therealtruthabouthealth.com
Strategies For Chronic Eye Symptoms: Demodex
Step 1: Rule Out and Reassess
Ask:
– **Unilateral or bilateral?** (One eye vs. both)
– **Morning vs. all-day redness?**
– **Discharge? Itching? Burning?**
– **Contact lens wearer?**
– **Recent meds (antihistamines, SSRIs, sleep aids)?**
– **Screen use, blue light exposure, or recent stress spikes?**
—
Step 2: Consider Root Causes
1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / Evaporative Dry Eye
– Redness + inflammation + lack of response to silver = possibly oil glands clogged.
– Use:
– Warm compresses (5–10 min, twice daily)
– Lid massage with hypochlorous acid spray (e.g., Avenova or Heyedrate)
– Omega-3 supplementation (2–3g/day of EPA/DHA from Nordic Naturals or similar)
2. Demodex Mite Overgrowth (esp. if itching or worse in the morning)
– Classic in chronic blepharitis and redness.
– Use:
– Tea tree oil wipes (like Cliradex 1–2x/day)
– Castor oil on lids at night (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial)
🌬️ 3. Allergy or Environmental Irritant
– Wind, smoke, mold, and pollen can all cause long-term inflammation.
– Try:
– Homeopathic eye drops** (Similasan Allergy Relief)
– **Cold compresses during flare-ups*
– Consider nettle leaf or quercetin supplements for systemic histamine balance.
4. Autoimmune or Inflammatory Response
– Consider the gut-immune-eye connection if this is part of broader inflammatory issues.
– Explore:
– Low-histamine diet trial for 7–10 days
– Support with **turmeric/curcumin or Boswellia
– If gluten-sensitive, remove gluten as it can trigger ocular inflammation.
5. Topical Support
If redness is not due to infection but inflammation:
– Use **preservative-free lubricating drops like *Refresh Mega-3or *Systane Complete 4x/day
– Avoid Visine or “get-the-red-out” drops—they rebound.
—
Functional Vision Add-ons (Your Toolbox)
– Red-light therapy near-infrared (650–850 nm), 2–3 min per eye daily.
– Essential oil lymph drainage protocol (frankincense, helichrysum, copaiba around eyes—not in).
– Vagus nerve reset with somatic vision exercises to drop inflammation systemically.
—
Referral Warning Signs (If Any Present)
– Severe light sensitivity
– Reduced vision
– Eye pain
– Clouding or corneal haze
Chronic Inflammatory Blepharoconjunctivitis, likely from:
1. Meibomian gland dysfunction + Demodex overgrowth
2. Environmental irritation or low-grade allergy
3. Possibly gut-liver overload (systemic inflammation contributing)
—
## 🌿 Refined 7-Day Protocol to Calm, Clear, and Reset
Step 1: Cleanse the Lids + Calm the Microbiome
– Morning & Night:
– Wipe lids with a hypochlorous acid spray* (Avenova, Heyedrate, or Biotech).
– Follow with Cliradex wipes (or dilute tea tree oil in jojoba 5:1 if cost is a factor) to target Demodex.
– After 3 mins, apply castor oil or organic manuka honey salve on lids (not in eyes).
Step 2: Reduce Local Inflammation
– Apply a cold compress for 5–7 minutes mid-day (or chilled chamomile tea bags).
– Use preservative-free lubricating drops 3–4x/day: *Refresh Mega-3* or Systane Complete*
– Optional: Apply diluted frankincense or copaiba around eyes (temples, cheekbone, brow bone).
Step 3: Internal Anti-inflammatory + Eye-Lipid Support
– Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): 2–3g/day from fish oil (Nordic Naturals, Carlson Labs).
– Turmeric/Curcumin**: 500–1000mg/day (Meriva or BCM-95 form).
– Quercetin/Nettle Leaf capsules* If mild seasonal allergy is suspected.
Step 4: Environmental Clean-Up
– Check for bedroom irritants (dust, mold, old pillowcases, down comforters).
– Sleep with a humidifier if in a dry climate (Tesuque qualifies).
– Try **changing pillowcase daily for 3 days**, see if symptom intensity drops.
—
Bonus: Functional Eye Reset
– Begin or resume your **Vagus nerve reset/lymph eye drainage protocol daily.
– Short craniosacral eye holds or temporal lifts can also reduce fluid stagnation.
—
Optional Soothing Eye Rinse (Daily or PRN)
– Mix:
– ½ tsp organic calendula tincture
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 cup sterile warm water
– Use an eyecup to gently flush or soak for 2 minutes (beneficial after outdoor exposure).
—
Re-Evaluate After 7 Days:
If there’s a 50–70% improvement, stay on protocol for another week, then taper.
If there is no change, escalate to MD/OD referral to rule out rare forms of conjunctivitis, episcleritis, or ocular rosacea.
—
View all episodes
By Dr. Sam Berne - Holistic Eye Health
4.7
3434 ratings
Hi Friends,
I want to let you know that I will be speaking along with 80 other speakers at The Real Truth About Health Free 17-Day Live Online Conference April 5 – April 21, 2024. I will be speaking at the following times and taking live questions. I look forward to speaking with you.
Individual Lecture (live online presentation) – Sam Berne O.D. – The Eyes Never Lie: What Your Vision Reveals About Your Health
Wednesday, Apr 09, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Panel 63 – Natural Vision: Unveiling Holistic Strategies for Lifelong Eye Health – Saturday, Apr 12, 2025, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Sam Berne O.D. – Vital Vision: Clear Vision Naturally
Please sign up to watch these free lectures.
therealtruthabouthealth.com
Strategies For Chronic Eye Symptoms: Demodex
Step 1: Rule Out and Reassess
Ask:
– **Unilateral or bilateral?** (One eye vs. both)
– **Morning vs. all-day redness?**
– **Discharge? Itching? Burning?**
– **Contact lens wearer?**
– **Recent meds (antihistamines, SSRIs, sleep aids)?**
– **Screen use, blue light exposure, or recent stress spikes?**
—
Step 2: Consider Root Causes
1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / Evaporative Dry Eye
– Redness + inflammation + lack of response to silver = possibly oil glands clogged.
– Use:
– Warm compresses (5–10 min, twice daily)
– Lid massage with hypochlorous acid spray (e.g., Avenova or Heyedrate)
– Omega-3 supplementation (2–3g/day of EPA/DHA from Nordic Naturals or similar)
2. Demodex Mite Overgrowth (esp. if itching or worse in the morning)
– Classic in chronic blepharitis and redness.
– Use:
– Tea tree oil wipes (like Cliradex 1–2x/day)
– Castor oil on lids at night (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial)
🌬️ 3. Allergy or Environmental Irritant
– Wind, smoke, mold, and pollen can all cause long-term inflammation.
– Try:
– Homeopathic eye drops** (Similasan Allergy Relief)
– **Cold compresses during flare-ups*
– Consider nettle leaf or quercetin supplements for systemic histamine balance.
4. Autoimmune or Inflammatory Response
– Consider the gut-immune-eye connection if this is part of broader inflammatory issues.
– Explore:
– Low-histamine diet trial for 7–10 days
– Support with **turmeric/curcumin or Boswellia
– If gluten-sensitive, remove gluten as it can trigger ocular inflammation.
5. Topical Support
If redness is not due to infection but inflammation:
– Use **preservative-free lubricating drops like *Refresh Mega-3or *Systane Complete 4x/day
– Avoid Visine or “get-the-red-out” drops—they rebound.
—
Functional Vision Add-ons (Your Toolbox)
– Red-light therapy near-infrared (650–850 nm), 2–3 min per eye daily.
– Essential oil lymph drainage protocol (frankincense, helichrysum, copaiba around eyes—not in).
– Vagus nerve reset with somatic vision exercises to drop inflammation systemically.
—
Referral Warning Signs (If Any Present)
– Severe light sensitivity
– Reduced vision
– Eye pain
– Clouding or corneal haze
Chronic Inflammatory Blepharoconjunctivitis, likely from:
1. Meibomian gland dysfunction + Demodex overgrowth
2. Environmental irritation or low-grade allergy
3. Possibly gut-liver overload (systemic inflammation contributing)
—
## 🌿 Refined 7-Day Protocol to Calm, Clear, and Reset
Step 1: Cleanse the Lids + Calm the Microbiome
– Morning & Night:
– Wipe lids with a hypochlorous acid spray* (Avenova, Heyedrate, or Biotech).
– Follow with Cliradex wipes (or dilute tea tree oil in jojoba 5:1 if cost is a factor) to target Demodex.
– After 3 mins, apply castor oil or organic manuka honey salve on lids (not in eyes).
Step 2: Reduce Local Inflammation
– Apply a cold compress for 5–7 minutes mid-day (or chilled chamomile tea bags).
– Use preservative-free lubricating drops 3–4x/day: *Refresh Mega-3* or Systane Complete*
– Optional: Apply diluted frankincense or copaiba around eyes (temples, cheekbone, brow bone).
Step 3: Internal Anti-inflammatory + Eye-Lipid Support
– Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): 2–3g/day from fish oil (Nordic Naturals, Carlson Labs).
– Turmeric/Curcumin**: 500–1000mg/day (Meriva or BCM-95 form).
– Quercetin/Nettle Leaf capsules* If mild seasonal allergy is suspected.
Step 4: Environmental Clean-Up
– Check for bedroom irritants (dust, mold, old pillowcases, down comforters).
– Sleep with a humidifier if in a dry climate (Tesuque qualifies).
– Try **changing pillowcase daily for 3 days**, see if symptom intensity drops.
—
Bonus: Functional Eye Reset
– Begin or resume your **Vagus nerve reset/lymph eye drainage protocol daily.
– Short craniosacral eye holds or temporal lifts can also reduce fluid stagnation.
—
Optional Soothing Eye Rinse (Daily or PRN)
– Mix:
– ½ tsp organic calendula tincture
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 cup sterile warm water
– Use an eyecup to gently flush or soak for 2 minutes (beneficial after outdoor exposure).
—
Re-Evaluate After 7 Days:
If there’s a 50–70% improvement, stay on protocol for another week, then taper.
If there is no change, escalate to MD/OD referral to rule out rare forms of conjunctivitis, episcleritis, or ocular rosacea.
—
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