Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. Blepharitis usually affects both eyes along the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis usually occurs when tiny sebaceous glands near the base of the eyelashes become blocked, causing irritation and redness. Several diseases and conditions can cause blepharitis.
The main symptoms are:
- itchy eyelids.
- red eyes.
- irritated and watery eyes.
- flaking and crusting at the base of the eyelashes, similar to dandruff.
- burning or stinging eyes.
- oversensitivity to light.
- gritty feeling in eyes and the sensation of having something in the eye.
- Watery eyes
- A gritty, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Eyelids that appear greasy
- Crusted eyelashes
- Eyelid sticking
- More frequent blinking
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision that usually improves with blinking
Treatment
- Warm compress to melt any blocked residue in the oil-secreting meibomian glands in your eyelids.
- warm compress to melt any blocked residue in the oil-secreting meibomian glands in your eyelids.
- Electromechanical lid margin debridement to efficiently remove bacteria, biofilm and Demodex mites from your eyelids and open clogged meibomian glands.
- Thermal pulsation treatment with a device that melts and expresses material obstructing the meibomian glands.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to open clogged eyelid glands and resume normal flow of oils into the tear film.
Complications
- Blepharitis can cause your eyelashes to fall out.
- Scarring can develop on your eyelids from long-term blepharitis.
- Abnormal tear film interferes with keeping your eyelids moist. This can irritate your eyes and cause symptoms of dry eyes or excess tearing.
- A chalazion occurs when there’s a blockage in one of the small oil glands at the margin of the eyelid, just behind the eyelashes. This blockage causes inflammation of the gland, which makes the eyelid swell and redden.
