New Partnership Expands Alcon’s In-Office Dry Eye and Ocular Health Portfolio

Alcon has gained exclusive rights to sell thetechnology and accompanying products of BlephEx, a provider of bacterial biofilm theory, in the United States effective May 1, 2021.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The BlephEx eyelid cleaning device and LashCam iR WIFI camera will join Alcon’s Systane iLux technology in meeting the in-office, ocular surface health needs of patients.

“Since launch, Systane iLux and the wrap-around support programs have provided practice and patient benefits around the country,” Fred Ellis, Head of Dry Eye Devices at Alcon, said in a company news release. “While this has been a great source of pride for Alcon, we want to continue providing solutions that help eye care professionals address a range of ocular surface issues. Our partnership with BlephEx will increase in-office options during a time when we are seeing more ocular surface issues, and put another tool in the arsenal to address unmet patient needs.”

The BlephEx handpiece is a micro-blepharoexfoliation device that spins a soft medical grade micro-sponge along the edge of the eyelids and lashes, removing scurf and debris. This in-office procedure lasts 6 to 8 minutes and has been shown to effectively remove accumulated debris and bacterial biofilm from the eyelid surface.¹ The LashCam iR, a WIFI camera with infrared light that instantly transmits hi-res 80X magnification images of eyelid margins, will complement both the BlephEx and Systane iLux procedures by allowing doctors to show patients their meibomian gland structure to aid with patient education.

“Addressing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a significant unmet need for the anterior segment eye care professional,” Eric Donnenfeld, MD, of Ophthalmic Consultants of Connecticut, said in the news release. “Systane iLux and BlephEx are perfect partners because removing debris and bacterial biofilm on the eyelid margin and unclogging meibomian glands through thermal pulsation are effective for supporting ocular health and treating MGD, respectively.”  

The BlephEx and LashCam iR devices can be purchased alongside the Systane iLux MGD Treatment System, which includes:

• Systane iLux device
• Dry Eye Excellence Program (DEEP) for practice support
• SystaneMyEyes patient retention program, including an iLux patient care kit
• Patient education information at GetToRootCause.com
• Professional product information at SystaneiLux.com

“The incidence of ocular surface health issues in the U.S. is significant and can impact almost every area of my practice,” said Paul Karpecki, OD, Keplr Vision. “Supporting the ocular surface has immeasurable benefits for patient clinical outcomes, and Systane iLux and BlephEx will be beneficial for patients managing ocular surface health.”

For more information, visit SystaneiLux.com, contact your Alcon sales representative or email us at BlephEx.alcon@alcon.com.