Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid. It is a very common eye
disease that affects the edge of the eyelids and eyelash hair follicles. There
are three main types of Blepharitis:
Seborrheic Blepharitis – Skin cells shed more rapidly than normal due to
a sebaceous gland that is not functioning properly. The sebaceous gland secretes
oil to the skin. The presence of excess oil and skin cells help bacteria to
grow.
Infectious Blepharitis – Bacteria cause an infection in the glands along
the eyelid.
Contact Dermatitis Blepharitis – Something coming in contact with the
eyelid leads to local inflammation. For example, mascara may produce such an
allergic reaction.
Causes
The primary types of Blepharitis are caused by either a skin condition or an infection. Blepharitis often occurs along with seborrheic dermatitis and acne rosacea.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or
condition.
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Acne rosacea
- Diabetes
- Contact allergies
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the cause of the
Blepharitis. They are usually
worse in the morning.
Symptoms may include:
- Redness, flaky skin, and oily secretions along the edge of the eyelid
- Crusty material clinging to the eyelashes
- Dry scales or dandruff on the scalp and eyebrows
- Itching or burning sensation
- Tearing
- Sensation of a foreign object in the eye
- Ulcers or sores at the base of the eyelashes (in severe cases)
- Scant, broken eyelashes
- Chalazions (nonpainful bumps in the eyelid), which may become infected
(called a stye)
- Conjunctivitis (occasionally)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Initially you may not have any tests. If the inflammation looks unusual for Blepharitis or fails to respond to treatment, the doctor will culture the eye, by passing a swab across the edge of the lid. The swab is sent to a lab to see if bacteria grow and if so, what kind. If the condition lasts for a month or more, a tissue sample may be removed for testing.
Treatment
Blepharitis is a chronic condition that often requires long-term
management. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. Do not wear contact
lenses until the
Blepharitis has resolved.
Hygiene
In mild cases, careful, daily eyelid hygiene may bring the inflammation under
control:
- Thoroughly wash your hands before performing any eye care.
- Run a washcloth under warm water.
- Place the warm washcloth on your eyelids for 5-15 minutes. This warm
compress helps to loosen crust.
- With your eyes closed, wash the eyelids with a special eyelid cleanser or
diluted baby shampoo. Use a different washcloth or cotton-tipped applicator
for each eye.
- Rinse with cool water.
Medication
If an infection is causing the
Blepharitis , you will be given antibiotic
eye ointment. Wash your eyelids as described above and apply the ointment with a
cotton-tipped applicator. For a mild case, you may only need ointment at
bedtime. If the infection is more severe, you may need to apply the ointment up
to four times daily. You may need to apply the ointment nightly to prevent
another episode. If
Blepharitis returns after topical treatment, you may
be given oral antibiotics, though this is rarely necessary.
Prevention
If you are susceptible to
Blepharitis conscientious eyelid hygiene can
help prevent a recurrence:
- Always wash your hands before touching your eyelids
- Wash your hair and face daily
- Wash your eyelids nightly as described above