What is tea tree oil and how is it helpful?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has important anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It is effective against many different micro-organisms that can infect the eye (see reference).
How does tea tree oil improve the health of the eyelid?
Tea tree oil appears to help prevent the overgrowth of germs on the eyelid, which leads to blepharitis. Blepharitis is a common eyelid condition that causes symptoms of redness, irritation, itching, burning, and dry-eye symptoms. There are many ways to treat blepharitis and tea tree oil is becoming an important tool to reduce inflammation and infection by bacteria, fungi, and mites.
What evidence is there that tea tree oil works?
Tea tree oil has been studied in the treatment of blepharitis with very positive reports. However, high-level scientific evidence is lacking (see reference). I suspect the reason for this lack of evidence is the high cost of the studies rather than the effectiveness of tea tree oil. It takes large sums of money to complete the scientific trials required by the FDA and there is no corporate financial incentive to fund a large, randomized trial. In the meantime, low-cost tea tree oil is available for use without a prescription.
What preparations are available?
Tea tree is available as moist lid wipes, drops, and cleansing washes (see tables below). Follow the directions on each formulation. To keep the tea tree oil fresh, effective, and safe, store it in a cool, dark place (drawer or cupboard) with the lid securely attached.
What side-effects may occur?
Sometimes, a sensitivity reaction may occur with tea tree oil. Stop using tea tree oil, if your skin or eyes develop pain, redness, and/or itching. See an ophthalmologist as soon as possible for evaluation. Sensitivity reactions may occur more commonly with older, out-of-date tea tree oil, as well as with products with higher-concentrations of tea tree oil.
What brands are available?
The tables below serve as a reference list primarily for cost comparison. The various products have not been compared in a clinical study. Some contain ingredients in addition to tree tea oil. Review the product information, especially if you have known sensitivities. If you wear lash extensions, the oil in some of these products (including tea tree oil itself) may loosen the attachment of the extensions. Lash extensions are not recommended for patients with significant blepharitis.
| Tea Tree Oil Products for Blepharitis | ||||
| (Listed in order of least to most expensive per unit application) | ||||
| Names of Lid Wipes | concen- tration | price as of (4-2021) | price/wipe | application |
| Dr Fischer Eyelid Wipes | unknown | $15.95 | $ 0.53 | wipes |
| Premium Eyelid Wipes | unknown | $22.95 | $ 0.77 | wipes |
| MediViz Eyelid Wipes | unknown | $24.97 | $ 0.83 | wipes |
| Optase Lid Wipes | unknown | $18.95 | $ 0.95 | wipes |
| Cliradex Eyelid Wipes | unknown | $39.42 | $ 1.64 | wipes |
| Names of Cleansers | concentration | price (4-2021) | price/ounce | application |
| Gentle Formula cleanser | 1% | $ 15.00 | $ 8.88 | pump spray |
| Ocusoft Demodex cleanser | unknown | $ 18.17 | $ 10.75 | foam wash |
| Eye Eco Adv Formula | 2% | $ 20.00 | $ 11.83 | pump spray |
| Heyedrate Foaming wash | <1% | $ 19.97 | $ 11.95 | foam wash |
| Cliradex Foam | unknown | $ 29.99 | $ 19.99 | foam cleanser |
| We Love Eyes | unknown | $ 24.00 | $ 24.00 | drops for Qtip |
For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.
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