Blepharitis is a
chronic or long term inflammation of the eyelids
and eyelash hair follicles. It affects people of all ages.
Among the most common causes of blepharitis are
poor eyelid hygiene; excessive oil produced by
the glands in the eyelid; a bacterial infection
(often staphylococcal); or an allergic reaction.
Seborrheic
blepharitis is often associated with dandruff of
the scalp or skin conditions like acne. It can
appear as greasy flakes or scales around the
base of the eyelashes and a mild redness of the
eyelid. It may also result in a roughness of the
normally smooth tissue that lines the inside of
the eyelid.
Ulcerative
blepharitis is less common, but more serious. It
is characterized by matted, hard crusts around
the eyelashes, which when removed, leave small
sores that ooze or bleed. There may also be a
loss of eyelashes, distortion of the front edges
of the eyelids and chronic tearing. In severe
cases, the cornea, the transparent front
covering of the eyeball, may also become
inflamed.
In many cases,
good eyelid hygiene and a regular cleaning
routine may control blepharitis. This includes
frequent scalp and face washing; warm soaks of
the eyelids; and eyelid scrubs. In cases where
bacterial infection is a cause, eyelid hygiene
may be combined with various antibiotics and
other medications. Eyelid hygiene is especially
important upon awakening because debris can
build up during sleep.
If you experience
symptoms of blepharitis, your eye doctor of
can determine the cause and recommend
the right combination of treatments specifically
for you.
Directions For A
Warm Soak Of The Eyelids
- Wash your
hands thoroughly.
- Moisten a
clean washcloth with warm water.
- Close
eyes and place washcloth on eyelids for
about 5 minutes.
- Repeat
several times daily.
Directions For An
Eyelid Scrub
- Wash
your hands thoroughly.
- Mix
warm water and a small amount of shampoo
that does not irritate the eye (baby
shampoo) or use a commercially prepared
lid scrub solution recommended by your
optometrist.
- Close
one eye and using a clean wash cloth (a
different one for each eye), rub the
solution back and forth across the
eyelashes and the edge of the eyelid.
- Rinse
with clear, cool water.
-
Repeat with the other eye.
- Do this at
least once or twice daily, depending on
severity.
For more
detail,
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