Blepharitis is a condition that affects the upper and lower eyelids. Around the eyelashes, it can cause clumping and stickiness.
Inflammation near the base of the eyelashes causes it. There are a variety of therapies available, including home remedies, that can help to alleviate symptoms.
We’ll go over what causes blepharitis, how to remedy it, and how to avoid it in this post.
Blepharitis can affect people of all ages and can be acute or chronic in nature; chronic adult blepharitis is the most frequent kind. Blepharitis is a term that refers to a persistent inflammation of the eyelids.
Pictures
The symptoms of blepharitis are depicted in the images below.
Causes
Blepharitis can be caused by a variety of causes.
They are as follows:
- parasites: Demodex eyelash mites
- infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- an inflammatory reaction to bacteria that normally live on eyelids
- seborrhoeic dermatitis or rosacea
Blepharitis is more common in people who have dandruff. Controlling the dandruff might assist to ease the symptoms.
Dysfunction of the Meibomian glands on the rim of the eyelids is another probable reason. These glands secrete an oily material that keeps the tear film from evaporating in the eye.
Some clinicians feel that blepharitis is a prelude to Meibomian gland malfunction rather than blepharitis being caused by gland dysfunction.
Symptoms
Blepharitis can be anterior or posterior.
Anterior: This affects the eyelid’s front edge, where the eyelashes contact it.
Posterior: This affects the inner edge of the eyelid, where it meets the eyeball.
The following are the key signs and symptoms:
- burning or stinging eyes.
- oversensitivity to light (photophobia).
- gritty feeling in eyes and the sensation of having something in the eye.
- itchy eyelids.
- red eyes.
- irritated and watery eyes.
- flaking and crusting at the base of the eyelashes, similar to dandruff.
Symptoms are usually more noticeable in the mornings.
Although blepharitis is not a sight-threatening condition, it can cause temporary vision loss.
Chronic blepharitis symptoms come and go, with periods of remission (a break in the symptoms) followed by exacerbations (a flare-up). It frequently affects both eyes at the same time.
Blepharitis is frequently associated with other disorders such as ocular rosacea, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment
Blepharitis is usually treated with a combination of medical and home remedies.
A doctor will likely prescribe home therapy, such as the ones listed below, but they can also do the following process:
Electrochemical lid margin debridement (BlephEx): This clears the eyelids of any mites, bacteria, and the biofilm that they produce. Any congested Meibomian glands are also opened.
Thermal pulsation treatment (Lipiflow): This dissolves any clogging debris in the Meibomian glands.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL): This helps to unclog congested eyelid glands.
Severe instances of blepharitis may necessitate the use of antibiotics, either topical or oral.
Home remedies
In order to treat both forms of blepharitis, it’s important to keep your eyelids clean. Even if your symptoms have improved, you should keep doing it.
The most important aspect of therapy is self-care. Blepharitis symptoms might reappear if self-care is not maintained.
Although blepharitis cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed with medication.
People with eyelid inflammation should avoid wearing cosmetics around their eyes, such as eyeliner, mascara, and other eye makeup, in addition to home therapy.
Blepharitis treatment entails:
- massage, to express the small oil glands of the eyelids
- lid cleansing, to remove crusts
- warm compresses, to loosen crusts
What is the best way to apply a warm compress?
Placing a warm compress over closed eyelids, warming the compress with warm water when it cools, and reapplying for up to 10 minutes is all it takes to use a warm compress.
The following are some suggestions:
- Using a soft cloth only: Scrubbing too vigorously or using a rough cloth can damage the skin and eyes.
- Dipping the cloth in warm water: Some patients have suffered facial burns by using a microwave to heat up the wet cloth.
Cleanse the eyelids after using a warm compress for up to 10 minutes.
Warming eye masks: These may have the same effect as warm cloth compresses while being more convenient. There are additional eyelid cleansers (Ocusoft, Thera Tears Sterilid) that can be used instead of dilute baby shampoo.
How do you clean your eyelids?
To do so, use a cotton swab soaked in a mild solution of baby shampoo to gently rub the eyelid margin—at the base of the eyelashes and where the glands are located. In roughly half a cup of warm water, drop 2 to 3 drops.
This lid hygiene must be done twice a day, every day as a self-care routine. This is a significant lifelong commitment, but without it, the symptoms will return.
How do you massage your eyes?
Massaging helps express the oily contents of the glands after applying the heated compress to release the sebum.
Massage the eyelid margin, where the eyelashes and glands are, with a finger or a cotton-tipped applicator or swab in tiny circular strokes.
Artificial tears
These non-prescription eye drops will assist to alleviate the dryness of the eyes caused by blepharitis during the day. Artificial tears that are free of preservatives are the finest to use.
Artificial tears may be purchased over the counter, but you should first consult your doctor to ensure that they are appropriate.
Diagnosis
Symptoms will be discussed, a medical history will be taken, and the patient’s eyelids and eyes will be examined.
Slit-lamp examination
The doctor will search for indicators that will help them figure out which sort of blepharitis you have. A slit lamp may be used.
This is a low-power microscope with an intense thin-beam light source that has been particularly constructed.
The doctor may examine the exterior of the eyes and the eyelids with the lamp while the patient’s head is held still by the chin and forehead resting on supports.
The doctor will next provide a therapy recommendation. This may or may not be the case, depending on the cause. A acceptable alternative will be picked if blepharitis looks to be caused by a skin condition, such as rosacea, or if it is caused by mites.
Complications such as Meibomian cysts, conjunctivitis, and corneal injury can all be avoided with treatment.
Sources:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blepharitis/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blepharitis/complications/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blepharitis/treatment/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/185155
- https://patient.info/doctor/herpes-simplex-eye-infections
- https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/managing-blepharitis-tried-true-new-approaches
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542012414001268
