Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids that affects the oil glands of the lids and the eyelashes.
Known causes
Blepharitis may be caused by inflammation, bacteria, allergies, tumours, environmental conditions, or it may be related to systemic disease. Acute ulcerative blepharitis is usually caused by bacterial infection (usually staphylococcal) of the eyelid margin at the origins of the eyelashes involving the lash follicles and the meibomian glands.
It may also be due to a virus (herpes simplex, varicella zoster). Chronic blepharitis is noninfectious inflammation of unknown cause.
Identify it
Symptoms vary but may include any or all of the following: itching, burning, scratchiness, foreign body sensation, excessive tearing and crusty debris around the eyelashes, especially upon waking up.
Visible ocular signs include lid erythema, collarettes (a fibrin crust encircling an eyelash), madarosis (missing lashes), trichiasis (an inturned lash), plugged meibomian glands, conjunctival injection and superficial punctate keratitis on the lower third of the cornea.
Also often seen in blepharitis, is an associated conjunctivitis with papillary hypertrophy of the palpebral conjunctiva.
Prevention
Keep the area scrupulously clean. Soap your hands for at least ten seconds and rinse well before treating your eyes.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
That can spread the infection. If you wear makeup, give it up for the duration.
Contaminated eye makeup can be a contributing factor to both forms of blepharitis. Once you decide to start using makeup again, replace old cosmetics especially eye makeup with fresh products. Also try to avoid cheap makeup If it is caused by an allergy at home or at work, simply avoiding the allergen (for example, a dog or cat), may avoid future problems.
Treatment
When the irritation is bothersome and not improving with conservative use of warm compresses, then it’s time to see a doctor. Cleansing the eyelids is essential to blepharitis treatment.
Your doctor will recommend what to clean them with: warm water only, salt water, baby shampoo diluted with warm water or a special over-the-counter product. Occasionally antibiotic drops or ointments that contain cortisone are used. If any cortisone drops or ointments are used, they should not be used for prolonged periods of time since they might cause glaucoma in susceptible individuals. These medications should never be used without the supervision of an ophthalmologist.