Blepharitis

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a common and persistent problem resulting in the inflammation of the eyelid margins. While curing the condition typically is not possible as it is recurrent, symptoms can usually be controlled with appropriate treatment. The condition tends to be more common in those of Asian descent, as well as those who have a tendency towards oily skin, dandruff, or dry eyes.

What are the symptoms of Blepharitis?

When you have Blepharitis you will notice flakes and an accumulation of grainy material at the base of your eye lashes. When you awake from sleep, you will also notice a stickiness and the aggregation of grainy particles at the base of your lashes. It is also common to have the sensation of sand in your eyes, as well as burning and itching. Redness and irritation of the eyelid may also occur. If this condition is left untreated you may suffer from the loss of eye lashes and Dry Eye.

What causes Blepharitis?

Bacteria normally colonize on the eyelid margin and are necessary for proper eyelid health. In some instances however, the proportion of bacteria around the eyelids increases leading to dandruff-like scales around the lid margins and eyelashes. Usually blepharitis occurs in conjunction with meibomitis, an inflammation of the glands within the eyelid margin that are responsible for secreting the oily component of the tear film.

How is Blepharitis Treated?

Blepharitis is a chronic disorder with no known cure. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can prevent the worsening of the condition and have greater control over the symptoms. Several techinques are used to help control the amount of bacteria around the lid margins. Here is an example of a common technique:

1. Warm compresses with a face cloth, tea bag or heated gel mask are placed over the eyelids for at least one minute. This will help to loosen the scales around the lid margins and increase the flow of the glands.

2. After compresses are used, lid scrubs are utilized to remove the scales. This involves placing diluted baby shampoo (1 part shampoo: 1 part water) on a clean washcloth and gently scrubbing the eyelid margins for around 15 seconds. Rinse with water to remove residual shampoo.

3. You may be prescribed an antibiotic ointment that you may apply at night or during the day. In conjunction, a topical steroid may be used for a short time to help with the redness and inflammation. If a steroid is prescribed, it is important to take only as long as prescribed, and to never take the medication unsupervised.

Finally, good hygiene is important. Frequent and thorough hand, face, and scalp washing will help mitigate the symptoms of blepharitis.