Blepharitis Branded V4 2010

Blepharitis (blef-ar-eye-tis) is a common condition of the
eyelids. It is caused by production of excess or abnormal oils
from the eyelid glands. The eyelid oils help to lubricate the
tears, so blepharitis is often accompanied by symptoms of dry
eye.
The normal eyelid has a front or anterior strip, which has the
eyelashes growing from it. Behind this there is a back or
posterior strip, which has oil glands opening into it.
Anterior blepharitis results from accumulation of excess
debris and scales at the base of the eyelashes. Sometimes,
these get infected by bacteria, and the infection can spread to
the white of the eye.
Posterior blepharitis is also called meibomian gland disease.
It happens due to thickening of the oils produced by the
glands in the eyelid. Normally, this oil should be smooth, like
olive oil. In meibomian gland disease, the oil is thick, like
cream cheese, and clogs up the pores of the glands. This
may lead to styes, or problems with dry eye.
Symptoms of blepharitis
Symptoms can range from mild to very severe. They can vary
in intensity. Sometimes the eyes feel normal; at other times
the inflammation can flare and cause any of the following:
Treatment of anterior blepharitis
Lid scrubs are done to remove the debris from the lashes.
Take a washcloth. Moisten it with warm water, then wring it
out to remove excess water. You may also wish to heat it up
in the microwave, but be sure to air out any hot pockets
before you apply it to your eyelids. The washcloth should feel
Take a cup with 1 ounce of tap water.
Add 4 drops of baby shampoo to this.
Wrap the washcloth around your finger
and dip it into the shampoo solution.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis Normal Eyelid
• red, puffy eyelids
• discharge from the lids
• itching of the lids or eyes
• burning and watering of the eyes
• red eyes
• feeling of sand in the eyes
• recurrent styes
Often, the symptoms of blepharitis are mistaken for allergy.
Treatment of Blepharitis
Treatment aims to control the lid inflammation. There is no
cure for blepharitis. Like any chronic skin condition, regular
maintenance treatment will provide lasting relief from flare
ups and recurrent symptoms.
comfortably warm; you may test it on the skin of your inner
wrist. Do not use a washcloth that is too hot as it will scald
your lid skin. Apply the washcloth to your closed eyelids for 2
minutes. If the cloth cools, you need to reheat it, so you
provide constant warmth to the eyelids. The warmth is
helping to loosen the debris.
Take your finger, and use it to gently
scrub off all the debris from your eyelashes.
You need to make sure that you
scrub at the level of the skin, not at the
tips of the lashes.
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Repeat the same procedure on the upper and lower eyelids.
• When your symptoms are worse, do this twice a day. For
long term maintenance, do this once a day, or at least, once
every other day.
Treatment of posterior blepharitis
Lid heat and massage is the mainstay of treatment. The heat
warms up the thick oil and helps it to flow out easily. The
massage directs the loosened oil out of the
clogged pores.
Take a washcloth. Moisten it with warm water, then wring it
out to remove excess water. You may also wish to heat it up
in the microwave, but be sure to air out any hot pockets
before you apply it to your eyelids. The washcloth should feel
comfortably warm; you may test it on the skin of your inner
wrist.
For the lower lid, it helps to look up
while you are doing this.
It is common for the white of your eye to be a little red, and
your vision to be blurred immediately after this.
• Do this warm massage twice a day initially for 2 months. It is
best if you can do this once in the morning, on awakening.
You may also do this in the shower, with warm water directed
to the eyelids for 2 minutes, before you do the massage.
• For long term maintenance, do this once a day at least.
Blepharitis
• If there is bacterial infection, your doctor may also prescribe
an ointment to apply to the eyelid margins at the end of this
procedure, for a few weeks.
• Rarely, it may be necessary to use oral antibiotics for the
infection.
Do not use a washcloth that is too hot as it will scald your lid
skin. Apply the washcloth to your closed eyelids for 2
minutes. If the cloth cools, you need to reheat it, so you
provide constant warmth to the eyelids.
Use your finger, either with or without the washcloth, to move
across the edge of your eyelid from 1 side to the other,
pressing in at each successive spot firmly, for a few seconds.
For the upper lid, it helps to look down. Do not hesitate to use firm constant
pressure on the lids. This will help to
squeeze the clogged oil out. The pressure
will not harm your eye.
• There are some studies that suggest normalizing the omega
3: 6 ratio in your diet, may help to improve these oils. You will
find these oils in flaxseed, walnuts and fish. Supplements for
omega 3& 6 are also available over the counter. The long
term side effects of these supplements, and the best dose to
be taken is not known.
• If the inflammation is worse, your doctor may prescribe a
course of antibiotics as well. Often, these antibiotics are used
for several months to produce a gradual improvement.
• Blepharitis also causes dry eyes. You may also use artificial
tears to improve the lubrication of your eyes.