What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is the medical term for inflammation of the eyelid margins. It usually affects both eyelids.
What are the Causes?
Blepharitis can be the result of a single cause or a combination of the following factors:
- Dysfunction of Meibomian glands (which produce the oily layer of tears) located behind the eyelashes at the edge of the eyelids.
- Accumulation of a thin crust around the eyelashes.
- The body's own reaction against this crust.
- Skin disorders such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea.
What are the Symptoms?
Blepharitis can produce one or more of the following symptoms:
- Persistent irritation or a burning sensation
- Feeling of grittiness in the eyes
- Scales / dandruff on the eyelashes
- Redness and swelling of the eyelid margins
- Red eyes
- Cysts / "styes" on the eyelids
How Long Does the Condition Last?
This condition can last for years with occasional flare-ups in which symptoms and signs increase in intensity. Blepharitis can often be controlled with relatively simple treatment regimens.
Is It Serious?
No, although blepharitis can be bothersome for the patient, it rarely causes serious eye problems by itself. However, it can affect the surface of the eye (cornea), leading to mild visual disturbances.
Is Blepharitis an Infection?
No, but there can be an overreaction of normal skin microorganisms. These microorganisms (bacteria and occasional fungi) normally inhabit the skin and can grow in secretions that accumulate on the eyelid margins. Therefore, regular eyelid hygiene is important.
What is the Treatment?
A combination of different treatments is used, but the mainstay of treatment is always eyelid and eyelash hygiene to remove irritating substances.
Treatment:
1. Warm Compresses
At least twice a day, wet a clean cloth with warm (not hot) water. After squeezing it, place it over the closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes. As it loses temperature, wet it again two or three times. Warm compresses increase the temperature of the eyelid, leading to dilation of the Meibomian glands located behind the eyelashes. These glands usually produce oil that spreads over the eye's surface and prevents the tear film from evaporating. In blepharitis, these glands are often blocked by thickened oil. Therefore, opening and dilating these glands helps unblock them, allowing the oil to flow more freely onto the eye's surface. This process also softens and makes it easier to remove the scales and dandruff from the eyelashes through massage.
2. Eyelid Massage and Eyelash Cleaning
After removing the cloth from the eyelids, take a cotton swab for ear cleaning and dip it into a solution consisting of baby shampoo and water in a ratio of approximately 1 drop of shampoo to 9 drops of water (1:10 ratio). Perform eyelid washing and massage as shown in the images. Finally, rinse the eyes with cool water. Alternatively, instead of the shampoo solution, you can use special eyelid cleaning wipes that are already soaked in an appropriate cleaning solution. You can purchase these products at most pharmacies.
3. Topical Antibiotic Ointment
During flare-ups of the disease after eyelid cleaning, you can apply a light coating of a special antibiotic ointment to the eyelid margin.
4. Artificial Tears
These drops can be used to alleviate symptoms.
