Risks with Blepharitis
Symptoms:
Red rimmed puffy swollen eyelids, crusting or burning, watery eyes, itching or burning sensation, blurred vision, dry eyes.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosed through slit-lamp examination of eyelid margins.
Treatment:
Eyelid hygiene routine and antibiotics
Adjunctive treatments: BlephEx
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Blepharitis is a common eye condition that causes inflammation along the edges of the eyelids. It occurs when the tiny oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become blocked, leading to irritation, redness, and swelling. Due to its chronic nature, this condition can affect one or both eyes and often requires ongoing management.
Anterior blepharitis occurs at the outside front edge of the eyelid, where the eyelashes are rooted. It is caused by low-grade bacterial infections with inflammation, most commonly from staphylococcus, or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, leading to dandruff-like scaling and accumulation of crusts around the eyelash roots. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and stickiness with crusting at the base of the eyelashes, which can cause irritation and discomfort.
Proper eyelid hygiene is crucial in managing anterior blepharitis. Regular cleaning with warm water and gentle eyelid scrubs can help remove debris and reduce inflammation. Special solutions to help clean the eyelids and lashes are available.
Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelid that touches the eyeball, specifically where the meibomian glands are located. These glands produce oils that form part of the tear film, helping to keep the eyes moist. When these glands become clogged or function poorly, it leads to inflammation, irritation, and dry eyes. Posterior blepharitis is often associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), contributing to dry eye syndrome.
Treatment for posterior blepharitis and MGD often involves warm towels to unblock the meibomian glands, combined with eyelid hygiene, and, in more severe cases, prescribed antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications.
Adjunctive in-clinic treatments for posterior blepharitis and MGD include BlephEx, MiboFlo and Optilight IPL.
Several factors cause blepharitis, often related to the dysfunction of the oil-producing meibomian glands in the eyelids. These glands play a crucial role in maintaining the eye’s tear film, and blepharitis can result when they become blocked or inflamed.
Some people are genetically more prone to get blepharitis. One group is those with Rosacea will often develop worsening blepharitis and MGD with age.
Both Children and Adults get blepharitis. Although often it seems surprising that young children can get blepharitis, they in fact can suffer quite badly from blepharitis and it can lead to them getting styes and chalazion.
Some common causes include:
The symptoms of blepharitis tend to fluctuate, with periods where they worsen and improve. They are often most pronounced in the morning, with many patients reporting increased discomfort upon waking.
Common symptoms of blepharitis include:
In some cases, meibomitis may occur alongside blepharitis, where blockages in the oil glands cause additional dryness and discomfort. Styes and chalazia occur frequently in blepharitis.
Treatment for blepharitis primarily involves improving hygiene and managing inflammation, focusing on keeping the eyelid skin clean and healthy. Regular cleaning helps to remove debris, bacteria, and excess oils from the eyelid skin, reducing the likelihood of further irritation and blockage of the oil glands.
Yes, many cases of blepharitis can be effectively managed at home with proper eyelid care and hygiene. The key to managing blepharitis at home is consistency and adopting a daily routine that focuses on keeping the eyelids clean and reducing inflammation.
Here are some recommended self-care steps:
If your blepharitis symptoms do not improve with regular eyelid hygiene and home treatments or worsen, it’s essential to seek advice from an eye care provider. Signs that professional intervention may be necessary include persistent inflammation, redness, swelling, discomfort despite consistent self-care, or the development of additional complications like blurry vision or recurring eye infections. If you are starting to get associated styes or chalazion, professional ophthalmic help is advised. Adult patients with a flare of blepharitis often require additional prescription drops or ointments to target the inflammation and low-grade infection.
The Ophthalmic specialist can also offer adjunctive treatments in the clinic including BlepEx, MiboFlo and Optilight IPL.
Blepharitis is surprisingly common in children, even in babies. Their immune systems are very active and they will often manifest quite red inflamed eyelids.
The treatment for blepharitis in children varies depending on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and the child’s age and overall health. Mild cases can often be managed with regular eyelid cleaning and hygiene, as in adult patients. However, more severe cases may require the care of an eye specialist, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Ensure your and your child’s hands are thoroughly washed before and after treating their eyes to prevent further irritation or infection.
While home care can help manage mild blepharitis, it is always safer to consult an eye care provider if your child’s symptoms persist or worsen.
Blepharitis is a chronic condition that may have periods of improvement (remission) and worsening (exacerbation). Symptoms may never entirely go away, and in rare cases, severe blepharitis can lead to complications such as vision loss or permanent changes to the eyelids.
If you need more clarification about the best course of action for your child, it’s highly recommended that you seek professional advice from an eye care provider. Your child may require stronger prescription antibiotic drops or syrup, and anti-inflammatory eye drops to help resolve their blepharitis.
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Avoid eye makeup and wear contact lenses during flare-ups. Stay indoors in windy or dusty conditions and limit high-fat foods to reduce oily skin, as these foods can sometimes contribute to oily skin, which is linked to blepharitis flare-ups. Avoid lash growth promotors which can exacerbate local eyelid inflammation.
With proper treatment and eyelid hygiene, blepharitis generally lasts 2 to 6 weeks. However, chronic cases may persist for several months or even years. It is a lifetime susceptibility that can flare up with stress, lack of sleep, air conditioning, and other lifestyle risk factors.
Blepharitis can recur due to:
Blepharitis is a widespread eye condition affecting people of all ages and is a frequent reason for eye care visits.
No, blepharitis is not contagious. It is caused by factors like bacteria, skin conditions, or gland dysfunction but cannot be spread to others.
Clinica London offers specialised treatments for complications like chalazion or corneal issues to address these conditions and prevent further complications.
Getting the right treatment for myopia now could prevent serious eye problems later in your life. To find out more about the available treatments for myopia, book a consultation.
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