One of the causes of eyelid, itching and dry eyes is actually a mite!  Your eye doctor can see evidence of these critters using the biomicroscope, and may prescribe an eyelid wipe formulated to kill them. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “On average, mites have a three-week lifespan, and hygiene is critical for interrupting their life cycle, said Dr. Tseng. ‘Mites should die out if you don’t let them mate.’  Unfortunately, eyelids are less accessible to thorough cleaning because they are surrounded by the nose, eyebrow, and cheekbone”.

Organisms that cause eyelid irritation which can lead to dry eyes and styes. “Tea tree oil acts against bacteria, fungus, mites, and inflammation, all of which may be involved in some forms of blepharitis,” said the Ophthalmology Times. 

Eyelid wipes formulated with tea tree oil like I-Med wipes plus provide enough to be effective at removing bacteria, debris and dandruff, yet not too strong to cause irritation. They also provide moisture and skin-firming hyaluronate to tighten eye wrinkles as an added plus.

“In addition to its application in various pathologies, tea tree oil is also being used quite successfully as a makeup remover and ingredient in face wash and shampoo.” - Covalent Careers.

Another product that Dr. B will prescribe is a gel cleanser which contains tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid acid and has been shown to purify the eyelids to help restore and maintain the natural skin balance around the eyes.  

Eyelid wipes and cleansers aren’t just for eyelid mites. The tea tree oil and other ingredients in them keeps bacteria, fungus, and other microorganisms in check, as well as possessing inherent anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why Dr. B recommends using them daily for general eyelid hygiene, to remove make-up and hydrate the skin. 

Sources:

https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/ote-articles/tea-tree-oil-proposed-blepharitis

https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/managing-blepharitis-tried-true-new-approaches

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/getting-a-grip-on-blepharitis

https://covalentcareers.com/resources/the-many-uses-of-tea-tree-oil-for-eyes-and-skin/