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Fighting Parasitic Eyelid Mites with Avenova from NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

Monday, 24 July 2017 10:00 AM

Eye Institute of Marin

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Dr. Najafi-Tagol, the Founder of the Eye Institute of Marin, Explains Why Avenova is "a Remarkable Advance in Eye Care" During National Dry Eye Awareness Month

SAN RAFAEL, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2017 / The Eye Institute of Marin, a leader in eye care in California, today marks National Dry Eye Awareness Month by highlighting a very common problem - tiny, eight-legged parasites that live on people's eyelid and lash follicles. Fortunately, there is a solution; an eyelid hygiene product from NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSE MKT: NBY).

Eye Institute of Marin, Monday, July 24, 2017, Press release picture

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic eye conditions caused by these mites, called Demodex, explains ophthalmologist Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, MD, Founder and Medical Director of the Eye Institute of Marin.

"These microbes are a common and largely unrecognized problem," says Dr. Najafi-Tagol. The mites burrow into eyelids lash follicles and skin, she explains. "That causes inflammation and plugs the eye glands that produce substances needed to keep tears from evaporating," she says. As a result, people suffer from red, inflamed eyelids and symptoms of dry eyes. Often, they also experience blepharitis with a crusty build-up of debris on their eyelids. Moreover, the infestation of parasites often attracts other microbes, such as bacteria, that add to the inflammation and discomfort and provide a food source for the parasites.

"For many years, we didn't have a good solution to this problem," Dr. Najafi-Tagol says. Doctors typically used harsh lip scrubs that contained tea tree oil, a substance shown to reduce the mite population. But the large amounts of tea tree oil need to combat the mites usually irritated the eyes.

Fortunately, eye doctors now have a new and better approach, says Dr. Najafi-Tagol. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has developed an eyelid hygiene product called Avenova. It is the only lid hygiene product to contain Neutrox, a pure 0.01% solution of hypochlorous acid ("HOCl"). HOCl is a substance that is naturally made by our own white blood cells. In vitro testing shows that NovaBay's proprietary version (Neutrox) kills and removes both mites and bacteria. "It is also very easy to use," says Dr. Najafi-Tagol. "I show my patients how to spray it on the eyelids or on a cotton pad and wipe the eyelids twice a day. It is completely safe and non-irritating, and is even refreshing to use. My patients who have been suffering for years say that it has finally brought them much needed relief."

Dr. Najafi-Tagol says that she now has prescribed Avenova to thousands of patients, with success. "Avenova is the first good weapon we have to fight these very unpleasant parasites," she says. "It is a remarkable advance in eye care."

Contact:

Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, MD
Eye Institute of Marin
4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 200 A
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-444-0300
[email protected]

SOURCE: The Eye Institute of Marin

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