Blepharitis
What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is an inflammation of your eyelids. It can make your eyelids and eyelashes read and crusty, and make your eyes feel irritated or itchy. It can also lead to burning, soreness or stinging in your eyes. In severe cases, your lashes may fall out, and you can develop small ulcers ot styes as well. You may find your eyelids become puffy. The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning and when you wake up you may find your lids are stuck together.
Blepharitis can be uncomfortable, but rarely causes serious eye damage.
There are two types of blepharitis:
- Anterior blepharitis, which affects the outside front edge of your eyelids (near or among your eyelashes).
- Posterior blepharitis, which affects your meibomian glands(which produce part of your tears).
Posterior blepharitis is caused when something affects your meibomian glands and may also be called meibomiam bleopharitis. It may also be caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Who is at risk of blepharitis?
Blepharitis is more common in people over 50, but it can develop at any age. As you get older, the glands in your eyelids that secrete part of your tears become blocked more easily. Your tears contain fewer lubricants and your eyes can feel gritty and dry, so seborrhoeic blepharitis and meibomiam bleopharitis tends to happen more in older people.
Staphylococcal blepharitis happens in younger people.
Your optometrist, doctor or eye specialist can spot the signs of blepharitis by looking closely at your eyelids.
A doctor can take a swab which they can send away to be checked to see if there is a staphylococcus bacteria infection.
What is the treatment for blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a condition that tends to come back even after treatment. It is possible to make your eyes more comfortable, but blepharitis often cannot be totally cured.
How should I look after my eyes if I have blepharitis?
If you have blepharitis, avoid eye make-up.
There are a number of treatments which can help you reduce the effects of blepharitis. You may need the treatment for several months.
1.Warm Compresses
Warm compresses work by warming the material that blocks the glands and melting the crusts on the eyelid. This makes them easier to remove. You can buy special packs called "Eye Doctor Eye Bags" from The Big Optician which you heat up in the microwave. Place the eye bag on the shut eyelids for five minutes, rocking gently with the heel of your hands. This will loosen the crusts. You can then use lid scrubs (see below).
2.Lid Scrubs
Make up a solution of baby shampoo (one part baby shampoo to 10 parts water) or bicarbonate of soda (one teaspoon dissolved in a cup of water) using slighly cooled boiled water. After using the warm compress, use your (clean) finger to pull your lower lid slightly away from the eye and clean the lower lid edge with a cotton wool bud, dampened in the solution you have made. You should aim for the base of the eyelashes. You can also do this with the upper lid, but it may be more tricky.
If you wish, you can buy special lid wipesor solution to do this from The Big Optician or pharmacy.
3.Lubricants
Using an ointment on the edges of your eyelids after cleaning them can help your eyes feel more comfortable. If you have dry eyes, you can use gel or drops to lubricate them. Ask your optometrist to recommend the best type to suit your eye problem. If you use lubricants regularly, you may be able to get them on prescription.
4.Oral antibiotics
If other treatments do not work, you may be prescribed antibiotics to take by mouth for three months. Antibiotic tablets do not suit everyone, so talk to your GP about this. You may notice a benefit for some months after completing the treatment. If the problem comes back, you may need another course of tablets.
5.Changing your diet
It has been suggested that antooxidants may help if you have blepharitis. Fruits, especially grapes (the skin rather than the flesh), contain the relevant antioxidant, resveratrol. Aim to avoid saturated fats, such as butter, cheese and cream and things that contain these ingredients such as biscuits, cakes and chocolate, and eat more fish oils and flaxseed oil which can reduce the symptoms of dry eyes.
If you have any concerns about the health of your eyes please visit The Big Optician. Optometerists are the eye-health specialists on the high street. An eye examination is a vital health check and should be part of everyone's normal health care.
