Blepharitis
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an eye condition characterized by an inflammation of the eyelids which causes redness, itching and irritation. The common eye condition is caused by either a skin disorder or a bacterial infection. Blepharitis is generally not contagious and can affect patients of any age. While it can be very uncomfortable, it usually does not pose any danger to your vision.
There are two types of blepharitis: anterior and posterior.
- Anterior blepharitis occurs on the front of your eyelids in the area where the eyelashes attach to the lid. This form is less common and is usually caused by a bacterial infection or seborrheic dermatitis, which is a skin disorder (dandruff) that causes flaking and itching of the skin on the scalp and eyebrows. While it is more rare, allergies or mites on the eyelashes can also lead to this condition.
- Posterior blepharitis occurs on the inner eyelid that is closer to the actual eyeball. This more common form is often caused by rosacea, dandruff or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)which affect the production of oil in your eyelids.
Symptoms of Blepharitis
Blepharitis can vary greatly in severity and cause a variety of symptoms which include:
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Itching
- Burning or gritty sensation
- Excessive tearing
- Dry eyes
- Crusting on eyelids
If left untreated, symptoms can become more severe such as:
- Blurred vision
- Infections and styes
- Loss of eyelashes or crooked eyelashes
- Eye inflammation or erosion, particularly the cornea
- Dilated capillaries
- Irregular eyelid margin
Treatment for Blepharitis
Treatment for blepharitis depends on the cause of the condition but a very important aspect is keeping the eyelids clean. Warm compresses are usually recommended to soak the lids and loosen any crust to be washed away. It is recommended to use a gentle cleaner such as Ocusoft Hypochlor Spray, but Hyclear Hypochlorous Spray is now the ideal choice to clean the area.
HyClear is the next generation of hypochlorous acid for essential daily eyelid health management. With a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity from the pure hypochlorous acid .01%, HyClear kills most ocular pathogens in 15 seconds*.
For bacterial infections, antibiotic drops or ointments may be prescribed, and in serious cases steroidal treatment (usually drops) may be used.
Blepharitis is typically a recurring condition so here are some tips for dealing with flare-ups:
- Use an anti-dandruff shampoo when washing your hair
- Massage the eyelids to release the oil from the meibomian glands
- Use artificial tears to moisten eyes when they feel dry
- Consider breaking from use of contact lenses during the time of the flare-up and or switching to daily disposable lenses.
The most important way to increase your comfort with blepharitis is by keeping good eyelid hygiene. We have an in-office procedure to reduce and alleviate blepharitis called BlephEx. It treats Demodex mites. Speak to Dr. Schwartz about which treatment is best for you.
Call Hartsdale Family Eyecare on 914-902-5079 to schedule an eye exam with Dr. Arlene Schwartz, our Hartsdale optometrist. Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT