Dry Eye Relief: How Hypochlorous Acid is Changing the Game

Author Ryan Hanes

Published Jan 20, 2023

Dry eye is a recurring, common challenge for patients and physicians alike. While existing products address bacterial reduction or symptom relief, hypochlorous acid presents an alternative eye care solution that optimally targets a number of eye care needs. Let’s take a deeper look at the research about hypochlorous acid for management and treatment of dry eye disease.

The 1995 National Eye Institute (NEI)/Industry Dry Eye Workshop defined dry eye as a disorder of the tear film due to tear deficiency or excessive evaporation, which causes damage to the interpalpebral ocular surface and is associated with symptoms of ocular discomfort⁵. Dry eye is a frequent, uncomfortable ocular disorder which can linked to localized eye issues, systemic inflammatory disorders, or widely prescribed drugs⁴. While many existing treatments address symptoms, few treatment approaches address the cause of the condition⁴.

What Research Has To Say

Existing scholarly research suggests that hypochlorous acid is an effective solution in the treatment of dry eye disease¹⁻³. A 2019 study assessing dry eye symptoms through the Ocular Surface Index (OSDI) and Eyelid Inflammation (EIQ) questionnaires concluded that on average, dry eye patients using hypochlorous acid reported a 10-point decrease in OSDI score on Day 14 and a further improvement of 5 points on Day 30³. Similarly, EIQ responses from patients showed a 20.5-point decrease over 30 days³. Observations also concluded a reduction in corneal and conjunctival staining and a significant reduction in Demodex counts over the course of the study³.

Hypochlorous & Bacterial Reduction

The bacterial load present on the ocular tissue has been linked to a number of eye conditions, including dry eye¹⁻⁴. Based on in vitro investigations, 0.01% HOCl appears to have more potent antibacterial action than other frequently used skin antiseptics while exhibiting no cytotoxicity². Additionally, HOCl was not harmful to the human ocular surface and was well tolerated after prolonged use². As a result, these qualities make HOCl a perfect adjuvant therapy for treating eye infections¹⁻⁴.

In a 2017 study, researchers observed the bacterial reduction on periocular skin twenty minutes after saline-based hypochlorous application¹. Results from the study illustrated a >99% reduction in the staphylococcal load on the surface of the skin 20 minutes following application of the hygiene solution¹. The total S. epidermidis colony-forming units were reduced by 99.5%¹. Researchers also concluded that the HOCl solution removed staphylococcal isolates that were resistant to multiple antibiotics equally well as those isolates that were susceptible to antibiotics¹. While hypochlorous was effective at reducing harmful bacterias, the solution was shown to uphold the integral bacterial diversity on the eyelid tissue¹.

BIHOCL O.D: The Future of Eyegiene

BIHOCL O.D is formulated specifically for clinical use on the ocular tissues and effectively targets a number of eye care needs, including symptom relief, bacterial load reduction, and preventative care. BIHOCL O.D offers patients three vital components for an effective everyday eyegiene routine:

1. Safe, Effective Bacterial Removal

Considering conditions such as dry eye and blepharitis can be caused or exacerbated by excessive bacteria around the eyelid, BIHOCL O.D optimizes the bactericidal power of hypochlorous to eliminate harmful bacterial burden. Unlike other antiseptic solutions, hypochlorous acid is non-cytotoxic, and well-tolerated with prolonged use on ocular tissues, meaning your patients can reach for this product every day without worries about eyelid irritation or skin reactivity.

2. An Anti-Inflammatory Response

Hypochlorous acid is also a proven anti-inflammatory. Studies show topical application of HOCl to the ocular surface reduces inflammation, irritation, and itching while reducing biofilms and optimizing conditions for natural healing¹⁻⁶ .

3. Hydration, Comfort & Easy Application

Life is best lived with comfortable, well functioning eyes. Removing bacteria and reducing inflammation are critical factors to restoring comfort, and BIHOCL O.D. excels at both. BIHOCL O.D also has an easy, gentle spray bottle, which means cleansing the eye area can be done in an easy, no-rinse application - suitable for everyone.

To learn more about BIHOCL O.D. and incorporating it in to your treatment protocol(s), visit our Eye Care page, or view the product here.

References

Stroman, D. W., Mintun, K., Epstein, A. B., Brimer, C. M., Patel, C. R., Branch, J. D., & Najafi-Tagol, K. (2017). Reduction in bacterial load using hypochlorous acid hygiene solution on ocular skin. Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, NZ), 11, 707.
Bertone, C., Mollicone, A., Russo, S., Sasso, P., Fasciani, R., Riccardi, C., ... & ALI working group. (2022). The role of hypochlorous acid in the management of eye infections: a case series. Drugs in Context, 11.
Kern, J. R., & Fahmy, A. M. (2019). Dry eye patients report improvement in symptoms with hypochlorous acid use over 30 days. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 60(9), 6740-6740.
Clayton, J. A. (2018). Dry eye. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(23), 2212-2223.
Lemp, M. A., & Foulks, G. N. (2007). The definition and classification of dry eye disease. Ocul Surf, 5(2), 75-92.
Sakarya, S., Gunay, N., Karakulak, M., Ozturk, B., & Ertugrul, B. (2014). Hypochlorous acid: an ideal wound care agent with powerful microbicidal, antibiofilm, and wound healing potency. Wounds, 26(12), 342-350.