Richmond, Texas (March 26, 2015) - OCuSOFT Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company (the “Company”) with an established reputation for innovation in eyelid hygiene is offering facts and information on Hypochlorous acid that every practitioner should know. OCuSOFT® is also pleased to introduce OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™, a 0.02% concentration of Hypochlorous acid available in both Solution and Gel formulation which can be used to supplement its existing OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® family of eyelid cleansers in the most severe cases.
Patient Costs Rise with Rx Hypochlorous Acid in OTC Comparison
The FDA requires Hypochlorous acid be registered as a medical device and as such may be marketed either as a prescription (Rx) or an Over-the-Counter (OTC) product based upon intended claims. Generally, the Rx vs. OTC designation has nothing to do with percentage of principle ingredient or relative effectiveness. For example, OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ Solution and OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ Gel both contain 0.02% Hypochlorous acid and are being marketed as OTC products for use in the most severe conditions. Branded prescription products are more expensive than OTC products or generics when used in the same treatment category. OCuSOFT®’s 0.02% Hypochlorous acid is twice the strength of the competing prescription brand yet is marketed OTC in order to provide maximum patient savings.
The Importance of Surfactants in Eyelid Hygiene
While Hypochorous Acid may offer some benefit in the most severe conditions, it lacks the surfactant activity found in both OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® Original and PLUS formulas. The root cause of anterior blepharitis is the overproduction of oils. Bacteria harbor in these oils and cause inflammation of the lids. The key to reducing bacteria flora is to first remove the excessive oils from the eyelids (in which the bacteria breed) and follow up with use of anti-bacterials to reduce the bacteria population. Mild surfactants in OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® eyelid cleansers act to dissolve and remove oil, debris and desquamated skin, are virtually non- irritating, and are intended for daily use. Hypochlorous acid formulas do not contain these surfactants and thus are largely ineffective in debriding the oil, scales and debris often associated with eyelid irritations. Accordingly, in the most severe cases where Hypochlorous acid might be most beneficial, it is suggested to use a Combination Therapy including both a surfactant cleanser (OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® PLUS) and Hypochlorous acid (OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™) to achieve optimum results.
Regarding OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® PLUS, Dr. Marguerite McDonald of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, US,states, “In severe blepharitis cases, OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ is a welcome addition; otherwise, OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub® PLUS with its anti-bacterial and surfactant properties is highly effective, and a mainstay of my eyelid hygiene treatment regimen.”
Further Savings with OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ 0.02%
Troy Smith, Vice President Professional & Technical Relations of OCuSOFT Inc., comments, “Medical Devices marketed as a prescription are generally not covered under private pay insurance, therefore, co-pay coverage will NOT be available. This means that all prescription medical devices like Hypochlorous acid will be cash pay in which the retail price is decided upon by the pharmacy. Significantly, the competing Rx brand patient cost is $30 (1.3 oz.) while OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ (2 oz.) is $20-$25. Comparing both the lower OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ price coupled with the increased volume of product provided, OCuSOFT® HypoChlor™ represents a 46% LOWER PRICE THAN THE RX COMPETITOR!
About Marguerite McDonald, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. McDonald works at the Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island and she is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, US; Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, US; and a cornea specialist with the Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, Lynbrook, New York, US. Dr. McDonald has over 1,200 publications in refractive surgery, cornea, ocular infections and allergy, and ocular surface disease (dry eye and blepharitis). Dr. McDonald has been honored with selection to the editorial boards of several publications, including the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the Journal of Refractive Surgery.
Contact: Troy Smith, Vice President Professional & Technical Relations
Phone: 800-233-5469
Email: tsmith@ocusoft.com
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