What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a common and persistent inflammation
of the eyelids. Symptoms include irritation, itching,
and occasionally, a red eye.
This condition frequently occurs in people who have
a tendency towards oily skin, dandruff, or dry eyes.
Blepharitis can begin in early childhood, producing
granulated eyelids, and continue throughout life as
a chronic condition, or develop later in life.
Bacteria reside on the surface of everyone's skin,
but in certain individuals they thrive in the skin at
the base of the eyelashes. The resulting irritation,
sometimes associated with overactivity of the nearby
oil glands, causes dandruff-like scales and particles
to form along the lashes and eyelid margins.
In blepharitis, both upper and lower eyelids become
coated with oily debris and bacteria near the base of
the eyelashes. The eye feels irritated and may become
inflamed. Regular, thorough cleansing of the lid margin
helps control blepharitis.
Sometimes the scaling or bacteria produce only minor
irritation and itching, but in some they may cause redness,
stinging, or burning. Some people may develop an allergy
to the scales or to the bacteria which surround them.
This can lead to a more serious complication, inflammation
of the eye tissues, particularly the cornea (the clear
front window of the eye).
How is blepharitis treated?
Blepharitis is a condition that may not be cured, but
it can be controlled with a few simple daily measures:
-
At least twice a day, wet a washcloth with comfortably
warm water, wring it out, and place over the closed
eyelids for a minute. Rewet it as it cools, two
or three times. This will soften and loosen scales
and debris. More importantly, it helps liquefy the
oily secretions from the eyelids' oil glands which
help prevent the development of a chalazion, an
inflamed lump in an eyelid oil gland.
-
With your finger covered with a thin washcloth,
cotton swab, or commercial lint-free pad, gently
scrub the base of the lashes about 15 seconds per
lid.
-
If an antibiotic ointment has been prescribed,
apply a dab at the base of the lashes (usually at
bedtime), using your fingertip or a cotton swab.
Simple, daily hygienic measures will minimize the following
additional medications that might be needed to control
blepharitis and its symptoms:
-
Artificial tears may be used to relieve symptoms
of dry eye. (These are eye drops that are available
without a prescription).
-
Steroids may be used short-term to decrease inflammation.
-
Antibiotics may be used to decrease the bacterial
content of the eyelids.
Medications alone are not sufficient; the application
of warmth and detailed cleansing of the lashes daily
is the key to controlling blepharitis.
Why are regular medical eye examinations important
for everyone?
Eye disease can occur at any age. Many eye diseases
do not cause symptoms until after damage has occurred.
Since most blindness is preventable if diagnosed and
treated early, regular medical examinations by an ophthalmologist
are very important.
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