BlephEx is a quick in-clinic treatment for chronic blepharitis in which a medical-grade rotating micro-sponge gently exfoliates the eyelid margins, removing the bacterial biofilm, crusting and Demodex debris that build up along the lash line and inflame the eyelids. It takes under ten minutes, is performed after a numbing drop, and is typically repeated every four to six months. At our partner clinics it starts from £180 per session for both eyes.
What is BlephEx?
Blepharitis is long-term inflammation of the eyelid margins. Along the base of the lashes, bacteria form a sticky biofilm — a bit like plaque on teeth — which irritates the lids, blocks the oil (meibomian) glands and causes redness, crusting, grittiness and watery or burning eyes. Eyelid wipes and hot compresses help, but they often can't fully remove biofilm that has built up over years.
BlephEx tackles it directly. A handheld device spins a soft, disposable medical micro-sponge along the lid margin and lash line, micro-exfoliating away the biofilm, scurf and debris — including the waste associated with Demodex mites. Clearing this build-up calms the inflammation, unblocks the gland openings and lets your eyelids work normally again. It is a cleaning and maintenance treatment, not surgery.
Symptoms BlephEx can help
- Gritty, sandy or burning eyes that never quite settle
- Crusting and flakes along the lashes, worse in the morning
- Red, sore or itchy eyelid margins
- Watery eyes or fluctuating, smeary vision
- Recurrent styes or chalazia, or blocked lid glands
- Contact lens discomfort linked to lid disease
Tried wipes and compresses without lasting relief? A lid-margin assessment can show whether biofilm is driving your symptoms.
Book a lid-margin assessmentWhen BlephEx helps — and what it pairs with
BlephEx treats the lid-margin side of dry eye and blepharitis: the biofilm and debris. Many patients also have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the oil glands themselves are blocked. BlephEx is often combined with treatments that target the glands and tear film for the best result.
Your clinician will recommend the right combination after assessing your lids, glands and tear film. Compare options and pricing on our dry-eye treatment cost page.
What happens during BlephEx
BlephEx is a comfortable in-clinic treatment with no needles and no downtime. It takes around six to ten minutes for both eyes.
- A numbing drop is placed in each eye for comfort.
- A soft, disposable medical micro-sponge is loaded onto the handheld device.
- The clinician runs the gently spinning sponge along your upper and lower lid margins and lash line, micro-exfoliating away biofilm and debris.
- A fresh sponge is used as needed, and both eyes are treated.
- The lids are wiped clean and you're given a home lid-care plan to maintain the result.
Aftercare
There is essentially no downtime — you can drive yourself home and return to normal activities straight away.
Same day
Lids may feel slightly tender and look a little pink for a few hours. You can go back to work and normal activities immediately.
First week
Follow your home lid-hygiene plan — warm compresses and lid cleaning — to keep biofilm from rebuilding. Many notice eyes feel cleaner and less gritty.
Ongoing
Because blepharitis is chronic, biofilm gradually returns. BlephEx is usually repeated every 4–6 months to keep symptoms under control.
BlephEx cost
Our prices are all-inclusive of the lid-margin assessment, the BlephEx treatment for both eyes and your home lid-care plan — with no hidden extras.
- Self-pay: from £180 per session for both eyes.
- Combined plans: ask about packages combining BlephEx with thermal or IPL treatment for MGD.
- Insurance: some policies cover medically indicated lid treatment; we can advise.
See related options and pricing on our LipiFlow and TearCare cost pages.