Medical Condition - Blepharitis

Blepharitis - Medical Description

Blepharitis is characterized when one or both eyelids become red, irritated, itchy, swollen and have a scaly crust along the eyelid margin. This crust may cause the lids to stick together upon awakening and can fall into the eye creating a gritty sensation.

Blepharitis is caused by seborrheic dermatitis (like a dandruff), a bacterial infection or when the oil glands of the eyelids produce too much, too little or the wrong type of oils. Allergies can also cause blepharitis. These include sensitivity to particles that come in direct contact with the lid margins such as mascara, contact lens solution, various sprays, exposure to animals, environmental chemicals or airborne allergens.

Medical Symptoms

The symptoms of Blepharitis are usually present in both eyes and in the upper and lower lids. They can appear at any age. Symptoms include:

• Red and swollen eyelids
• Itchy eyelids
• Gritty feeling like something is in your eye
• A burning feeling
• Sensitivity to light
• Dry eyes
• Crusty and scaly eye margins
• Matting of the eyelashes
• Loss of eyelashes
• Pink eye may occur simultaneously with blepharitis
• Styes can occur
• Chalazions (a blocked oil gland that becomes enlarged) can occur

Medical Diagnosis

A physical exam of the eyelids, lid margins, base of the lashes, oil gland openings, tear quantity and front surface of the eyeball using a slit lamp is done.  Sometimes cultures are taken by swabbing the discharge and sending this to the laboratory to look for specific organisms. In some cases an evaluation of allergies may be required.

Medical Treatment and Relief Solutions

Blepharitis can be treated with proper eyelid hygiene. If left untreated more serious conditions may occur to the eye’s tissue. Treatment includes:

• Use a clean, damp, warm washcloth and place over closed eyelids for about 5 minutes to soften crusts.
• Apply diluted baby shampoo to the cloth and clean one closed eye at a time gently stroking the lid horizontally.
• Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
• Limit or stop using eye makeup while treating blepharitis.
• Temporarily discontinue using contacts during treatment.
• You may have to use antibiotic drops if infection is present.
• A combination of antibiotic drops and steroids drops may be used depending on the degree of inflammation. These will be described by your doctor.
• An in-office procedure maybe be necessary to clean out a chalazion. Once this is done, follow the "prevention steps" outlined below.

Prevention of Blepharitis and Chalazions if oil glands are the cause -

Once or twice a day, place a heated eye pack over the eyes for 20 minutes. A microwavable heat pack works well.

Recommended Products

Health Resources - Helpful Websites & Blogs

• The Canadian Association of Optometrists
• SkinSight - for every body, everywhere.
• Dr. Ebony Browne's Blog
• Blogs about: Blepharitis