What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis (ble-fuh-REYE-tis) is a chronic disease of the eyelids, characterised by persistent inflammation of the lid margins.
It is often classified into 2 types:
Anterior blepharitis mainly affects the outer front edge of the eyelid margin, where the eyelashes grow. It often causes scales around the eyelashes and an overgrowth of bacteria, which produce toxins that enter the tears, irritating the eye.
Posterior blepharitis (meibomian gland dysfunction, MGD) is the most common form of blepharitis. It mainly affects the inner back edge of the eyelid margin, which is in contact with the eye. The meibomian oil glands, located in a row behind the eyelashes, become blocked with thickened waxy oil. This leads to drying of the tears on the surface of the eye because they lack their normal healthy oil coating. It also causes an overgrowth of bacteria, which produce toxins that enter the tears, irritating the eye.
Who gets blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a common condition that can occur in anyone, at any age. It is most common in people with oily skin or Rosacea.
What are the main symptoms of blepharitis?
Blepharitis may cause irritation, burning, itching and the sensation of something scratching the eye. The eyes often become red and watery, but may feel dry. The vision may be variable. The eyelids may appear red-rimmed and there may be crusts in the eyelashes or cysts near the eyelid margins.
Is blepharitis serious?
In most cases blepharitis is annoying but does not cause serious harm to the eye. However, complications of blepharitis may develop, including meibomian cysts, ingrown eyelashes, dry eye and corneal ulcers.
What treatments can help with blepharitis?
There is no simple cure for blepharitis and controlling it often involves a combination of several different treatments:
Eyelid hygiene should be done twice daily for the first few weeks, and then may be reduced to once daily once the blepharitis has improved.
Warm compresses – Wet a clean folded facecloth in hot (not scalding) water and wring it out. Press it gently on closed eyelids for at least 1 minute, until it starts to cool. Repeat 2-3 times. This loosens any crusts around the eyelashes and softens the oil in the meibomian glands.
Eyelid massage – After the hot compress, use the tips of your fingers to massage the eyelids, pressing the skin towards the edge of the eyelid, along the whole length of the upper and lower lids. This is useful in posterior blepharitis to help squeeze the oil out of the clogged meibomian glands.
Lid scrubs – Using warm water and either a facecloth or a cotton bud, scrub gently along the rims of the eyelids, close to the eyelashes. A few drops of baby shampoo may be added to the water. Alternatively a commercial product such as ‘Lid Care’ wipes may be used. Lid scrubs are particularly useful in anterior blepharitis, to remove any scales from around the eyelashes.
Tear supplements often help relieve some of the symptoms of blepharitis by replacing the natural tears, which may be evaporating too fast, and by diluting any toxic chemical in the tears, produced by an overgrowth of bacteria on the eyelid margins. There are numerous different artificial tear drops, which are available without prescription at pharmacies. Most of these drops can be used safely up to 4 times daily. Should tear supplements be required more frequently, then preservative free ones, which come in boxes of small throw-away vials, are recommended.
Antibiotic ointment may be prescribed for a period of time. It can be applied with a clean fingertip or a cotton bud to the eyelid margins. This helps to reduce the buildup of bacteria in the oil glands and around the eyelashes, which often contribute to the inflammation caused by blepharitis.
Steroid eyedrops may occasionally be prescribed for a short course. They are anti-inflammatory, which reduce the redness, swelling and discomfort caused by blepharitis when it has a significant flare-up. If steroid drops are used you must be closely monitored by your Eye Doctor for potential side effects, such as glaucoma, cataracts and infections.
Oral antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, may be prescribed for more persistent blepharitis. A low dose is normally used for a long course, usually several months. Although generally well-tolerated, potential side effects include
sun-sensitivity and abdominal upsets.
Other treatments may occasionally be recommended by your Eye Doctor depending on the type and severity of your blepharitis.
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