blepharitis
If your eyelid rims are red and irritated, if they burn and itch or if you've noticed an oily discharge or scaly skin
around them, you may have an inflammatory problem called "blepharitis". Some people describe it as "psoriasis
of the eyelids".
Blepharitis is a common, long-term inflammation of the eyelids and eyelashes. It affects people of all ages.
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. Less
frequently does ulcerative blepharitis occur in which hard crusts form around the eyelashes that can bleed or
ooze when removed. If not treated, loss of eyelashes, distortion of the front edge of the eyelids and chronic
tearing could occur.
What are the causes of blepharitis?
Bacteria reside on the surface of everyone's skin at the base of the eyelashes. The resulting irritation,
sometimes associated with over-activity of the nearby oil glands, causes dandruff-like scales and particles to
form along the lashes and eyelid margins. 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 a sensitivity or
allergic reaction to the scales and bacteria which surround them. This can lead to more serious complications,
including an inflammation of the eye tissues, particularly the cornea.
Poor cleaning of the eyelids allows bacteria to reside on the lids and lashes, which in turn can cause blepharitis
as well.
What are the treatments?
Blepharitis is usually not serious and can be treated easily. In certain cases, it may not be cured, but it can be
controlled with a few simple daily measures. If left untreated, it can be very uncomfortable, unattractive, and lead
to more serious problems.
To treat blepharitis, daily lid hygiene is required, which can include lid scrubs, warm soaks, and other various
measures. It is important to keep the lid edges and surrounding skin clean with these techniques. Medicated
pads sold at Visualeyes Optometry may be required.
For more serious cases, ointments containing antibiotics and sulfonamides should be applied to the edges of
the eyelids with a cotton ball. Steroid drop can also be prescribed by Dr. Dodge to calm the inflammation.
The technique for all of these procedures can be found in the lid hygiene section of this website.
While over-the-counter treatments for blepharitis are available, it is advisable to consult with Dr. Dodge the first
time you experience this condition. If you have had blepharitis before and had experience with its treatment,
using the over-the-counter ointments may be adequate. But, whether you have had the condition before or not, if
the blepharitis is infectious, you should call Dr. Dodge as soon as possible to reduce the risk of having the
infection spread and cause more serious conditions.
If your eyelid rims are red and irritated, if they burn and itch or if you've noticed an oily discharge or scaly skin
around them, you may have an inflammatory problem called "blepharitis". Some people describe it as "psoriasis
of the eyelids".
Blepharitis is a common, long-term inflammation of the eyelids and eyelashes. It affects people of all ages.
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. Less
frequently does ulcerative blepharitis occur in which hard crusts form around the eyelashes that can bleed or
ooze when removed. If not treated, loss of eyelashes, distortion of the front edge of the eyelids and chronic
tearing could occur.
What are the causes of blepharitis?
Bacteria reside on the surface of everyone's skin at the base of the eyelashes. The resulting irritation,
sometimes associated with over-activity of the nearby oil glands, causes dandruff-like scales and particles to
form along the lashes and eyelid margins. 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 a sensitivity or
allergic reaction to the scales and bacteria which surround them. This can lead to more serious complications,
including an inflammation of the eye tissues, particularly the cornea.
Poor cleaning of the eyelids allows bacteria to reside on the lids and lashes, which in turn can cause blepharitis
as well.
What are the treatments?
Blepharitis is usually not serious and can be treated easily. In certain cases, it may not be cured, but it can be
controlled with a few simple daily measures. If left untreated, it can be very uncomfortable, unattractive, and lead
to more serious problems.
To treat blepharitis, daily lid hygiene is required, which can include lid scrubs, warm soaks, and other various
measures. It is important to keep the lid edges and surrounding skin clean with these techniques. Medicated
pads sold at Visualeyes Optometry may be required.
For more serious cases, ointments containing antibiotics and sulfonamides should be applied to the edges of
the eyelids with a cotton ball. Steroid drop can also be prescribed by Dr. Dodge to calm the inflammation.
The technique for all of these procedures can be found in the lid hygiene section of this website.
While over-the-counter treatments for blepharitis are available, it is advisable to consult with Dr. Dodge the first
time you experience this condition. If you have had blepharitis before and had experience with its treatment,
using the over-the-counter ointments may be adequate. But, whether you have had the condition before or not, if
the blepharitis is infectious, you should call Dr. Dodge as soon as possible to reduce the risk of having the
infection spread and cause more serious conditions.
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