What Is Hypochlorous Acid — and Why It’s a Game Changer for Dry Eyes

Keeping your eyelids clean is one of the most overlooked steps in eye care. Many people with dry eye disease, blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction focus on adding moisture through drops, but they overlook the role of lid hygiene. The eyelashes and eyelid margins harbor bacteria, mites and debris that can clog the meibomian glands and trigger inflammation. Left unchecked, this buildup leads to unstable tears, redness and chronic discomfort.

Enter hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring molecule that your immune system uses to fight infection. In recent years, scientists have learned to stabilize HOCl in a gentle topical spray that cleanses and soothes the eyelid area without irritation. In this expanded guide, we’ll explain what hypochlorous acid is, how it works, why it matters for eye health, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. We’ll also compare HOCl to traditional lid cleansers and answer common questions.

The Science: What Is Hypochlorous Acid?

Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid formed when chlorine dissolves in water. Your white blood cells produce HOCl as part of the innate immune response to destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi. Because it’s naturally produced in the body, HOCl is both potent against microbes and safe for living tissues.

Medical researchers have harnessed this molecule by creating stabilized solutions at skin‑neutral pH. These formulations maintain HOCl’s antimicrobial activity while remaining non‑toxic and non‑irritating. When sprayed onto the eyelids, HOCl quickly disrupts the cell walls of microorganisms and reduces inflammatory signals, creating a clean environment where glands can function properly.

Why Eyelid Hygiene Matters

The meibomian glands along your eyelid margins secrete oils that prevent tears from evaporating. When these glands become blocked by debris, makeup, demodex mites or bacteria, the oil hardens and the glands become inflamed. Symptoms include redness, burning, crusting and the sensation of something in your eye. Over time, blockage can lead to gland atrophy and chronic dry eye.

Traditional lid hygiene methods — like baby shampoo diluted in water — remove debris but can strip the delicate skin of its natural lipids and alter the tear film. Some cleansers contain preservatives or surfactants that sting and disrupt the ocular surface. HOCl offers a gentler alternative: it cleans and calms without disrupting the lipid layer or leaving residue.

How Hypochlorous Acid Supports Dry Eye Management

Hypochlorous sprays support the ocular surface in several ways:

• Reduces inflammation: HOCl down‑regulates pro‑inflammatory cytokines on the lid margins, soothing redness and swelling.
• Controls microbial load: It kills bacteria, viruses and demodex mites that contribute to blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and rosacea.
• Promotes healing: By creating a balanced environment, HOCl allows glands and skin to heal and resume normal function.
• Safe for daily use: Unlike antibiotics or steroids, HOCl can be used long term without resistance or side effects.

Clinical studies have shown that hypochlorous lid sprays improve comfort and reduce bacterial counts in patients with blepharitis and dry eye. Patients often notice less itching, fewer crusts and more stable tears within a few weeks of consistent use.

How to Use Hypochlorous Acid

Incorporating HOCl into your routine is simple:

1. Start with clean hands: Always wash your hands before touching your eyes.
2. Apply after cleansing: After washing your face and removing makeup, close your eyes and spray the solution directly onto your lids and lashes. Alternatively, spray onto a cotton pad and gently wipe along the lash line.
3. Allow to air dry: Do not rinse. Let the solution dry naturally; this gives the active ingredient time to work.
4. Use once or twice daily: Many people spray morning and night. If you wear makeup, use HOCl after removal in the evening.
5. Combine with heat: For best results, use HOCl after a warm compress or heat mask to melt oils and open glands. The warmth allows deeper penetration and more effective cleansing.

Hypochlorous sprays are safe for contact lens wearers (remove lenses before spraying) and can be used after in‑office treatments like LipiFlow® or IPL to promote healing.

Comparing Hypochlorous Acid to Other Lid Cleansers

There are many lid hygiene products on the market: foams, wipes, soaps and oils. Here’s how HOCl stacks up:

Choosing and Using the Right Product

Not all HOCl sprays are created equal. Look for products that are:

• Pure: Contain only hypochlorous acid, water and salt — no preservatives or additives.
• Ophthalmologist‑tested: Verified for safety on the ocular surface.
• Stable: Packaged to maintain HOCl’s activity over time.

Our favorite: BIHOCL O.D. Hypochlorous Spray from Biomiq. This Canadian‑made formula uses pure HOCl at the optimal concentration for lid hygiene. It’s preservative‑free, fragrance‑free and never stings.

Beyond Dry Eye: Other Uses for Hypochlorous Acid

Because HOCl is gentle and effective, it has uses beyond lid hygiene:

• Wound care: It helps clean minor cuts and abrasions without slowing healing.
• Skin care: HOCl sprays are used to calm acne, eczema and rosacea thanks to their anti‑inflammatory properties.
• Post‑procedure care: After eyelid surgery or aesthetic treatments, HOCl reduces infection risk and soothes the skin.
• Mask hygiene: Spraying masks with HOCl can reduce bacteria and odour between washes.

While HOCl is safe for these uses, always follow product instructions and consult your healthcare provider for specific medical conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does it burn? No. A properly formulated HOCl spray shouldn’t sting or burn. If it does, discontinue use and consult your provider.
• Can I make my own? It’s not recommended. Homemade solutions often have unstable pH and chlorine levels that can irritate the eyes.
• Is it the same as bleach? No. Though hypochlorous acid is related to chlorine bleach, it’s a much weaker acid and safe for tissue at appropriate concentrations.
• Do I still need artificial tears? Yes. HOCl cleans the lids and reduces inflammation but doesn’t replace lubricating drops. Use it in combination with a preservative‑free tear like Thealoz® Duo.

Conclusion: Small Molecule, Big Impact

Hypochlorous acid has revolutionized eyelid hygiene. By harnessing the power of your body’s own immune response, HOCl offers a safe, effective way to clean and calm the delicate skin around your eyes. When incorporated into a daily routine — alongside warm compresses, omega‑3 supplements and lubricating drops — it helps break the cycle of inflammation and blockage that drives dry eye disease.

Explore hypochlorous lid spray and other eye‑care essentials at Eye Drop Shop. Our experts curate the best products to support your ocular health.

References

1. Ousler, G. W., Gomes, P. J., Welch, D., & Abelson, M. B. (2017). Efficacy and safety of a hypochlorous acid hygiene solution in patients with blepharitis. Clinical Ophthalmology, 11, 677–683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28435349/
2. Alghamdi, A. A., & Alotaibi, F. E. (2021). Role of hypochlorous acid in the management of ocular surface disorders. Journal of Ophthalmology, 2021, 6638037. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34188589/
3. Jones, L., Downie, L. E., Korb, D., Benitez-del-Castillo, J. M., Dana, R., Deng, S. X., Dong, P. N., Geerling, G., Hida, R. Y., Liu, Y., Seo, K. Y., Tauber, J., Wakamatsu, T. H., & Nichols, K. K. (2017). TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report. The Ocular Surface, 15(3), 575–628. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28736340/