Blepharitis Treatment
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Most of the time, it occurs when oil glands in the eyelids produce too much, too little or the wrong kind of oil. Less common causes of blepharitis include allergies, bacterial infection, rosacea, certain chronic medical conditions and some types of cancer.
What Is The Main Cause Of Blepharitis?
There are three main types of blepharitis:
staphylococcal blepharitis — is caused by a bacterium called staphylococcus
seborrhoeic blepharitis — is closely linked with a skin condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis where the affected skin becomes oilier than normal and can become scaly. Seborrhoeic dermatitis typically causes bad dandruff and sometimes a rash on the face or upper body.
meibomian blepharitis — also known as meibomian gland dysfunction
All three types can cause similar symptoms.
People with blepharitis tend to have symptoms that flare up from time to time. Blepharitis is a chronic problem, and its causes are usually chronic too. Although blepharitis usually affects the eyelids, it can sometimes affect the cornea (the protective outer layer of the eye) and the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid (conjunctiva).
Most of the time, blepharitis happens because you have too much bacteria on your eyelids at the base of your eyelashes. Having bacteria on your skin is normal, but too much bacteria can cause problems. You can also get blepharitis if the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged or irritated.
Symptoms of blepharitis
Blepharitis causes red, swollen and itchy eyelids that may appear scaly or crusty near the base of the eyelashes. Sometimes, your eyes may get so crusty that they stick together when you’re sleeping. Other symptoms of blepharitis include:
Burning eyes
Sensitivity to light
Feeling that something is in the eye
Dry eyes
Blurry vision
Because blepharitis can lead to more serious problems, including scarring of the eyes, it’s important to seek blepharitis treatment as soon as possible.
Blepharitis Treatment Options
Improving hand and eye hygiene is crucial for treating blepharitis. Some of the effective blepharitis treatments For Eyes recommends include the following
Keep hands and face clean
Avoid rubbing eyes
Remove any makeup before going to bed
Massage the eyelids
Press on the eyelids gently with a washcloth soaked in very warm water for 5-10 minutes
Other treatments include antibiotic eye drops or ointments, prescription medications and steroids. If your blepharitis is caused by another condition (like allergies), you’ll need additional care to control or treat the underlying problem. To be able to successfully treat the Inflammation, eyelids need to stay clean as often as possible, which means you should refrain from touching your eyes before you wash your hands. If none of the aforementioned treatments works, contact us for more suggestions and an urgent appointment if need be.
At For Eyes, we strive to offer convenient, compassionate care. Our specialists are here for you whenever your eye emergency arises. For Eyes provides care for a whole spectrum of eye issues, so feel free to contact us today and discuss your problem before scheduling an appointment. For Eyes provides optometry and ophthalmology services for your entire family at a location near you.