Blepharitis can occur at any age, and symptoms can include:
Soreness, itching, and redness of the eyelids that cause them to stick together.
Dandruff or greasy eyelashes
A burning or gritty feeling in the eyes
Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Swelling around the eyelid
Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
And in severe cases, abnormal eyelash growth or eyelash loss
In most cases, both eyes are affected by blepharitis, but one eye can be more affected than the other. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning.
When to see a doctor?
If symptoms of blepharitis do not improve with simple eyelash hygiene measures and persist, be sure to see a doctor or optometrist.
Your doctor will evaluate your condition to determine if your eyelid swelling is due to an underlying condition, or they may refer you to an eye specialist.
If you have severe symptoms, see an ophthalmologist or general practitioner immediately, or if that is not possible, go to the nearest emergency department.
How is blepharitis treated?
Blepharitis is usually a long-term condition. Most people experience recurring episodes of the condition, sometimes with periods of no symptoms in between.
The condition cannot usually be completely cured, but daily cleaning of the eyelids can help control symptoms and prevent permanent scarring around the eyelid.
Three basic steps to improve eyelids, which should be done once or twice a day:
Using a warm compress: This will help the oil produced by the glands around the eyes to become more fluid.
Gently massaging the eyelids: This will help to push the oil out of the glands.
Cleaning the eyelids: This will help to remove any excess oil, and any crusts, bacteria, and dust.
If your symptoms are more severe, you may need antibiotics, which can be applied topically to the eye or eyelid or taken as a pill.
What causes blepharitis?
There are three main types of blepharitis:
Anterior blepharitis: In this type, the area where the eyelashes grow becomes swollen.
Posterior blepharitis: In this type, the meibomian glands become swollen; these glands are located
along the eyelid behind the eyelash growth.
Mixed blepharitis: A combination of anterior blepharitis and posterior blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis can be caused by one of the following:
A reaction to staphylococcus bacteria: This bacteria usually lives harmlessly on the skin of many people,
but for unknown reasons, it can cause inflammation of the eyelashes.
Seborrheic dermatitis: A skin condition that causes the skin to become oily or flaky and sometime causes skin irritation. This causes the meibomian glands to become blocked.
Posterior blepharitis is caused by a problem with the meibomian glands, where the gland's outlet becomes blocked by debris or inflammation.
Sometimes, meibomian gland blockage is associated with a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. If too much oil is produced, it could be due to seborrheic dermatitis.
Mixed blepharitis, the most common type of blepharitis, is a combination of anterior and posterior blepharitis.
Blepharitis is not contagious.
Complications:
Blepharitis is often not a serious condition; however, it can lead to a number of other problems.
For example, many people with blepharitis also develop dry eye syndrome. In this syndrome, the eyes do not produce enough tears or dry out quickly. In this case, you will feel a gritty sensation in the eyes, pain, and dryness.
Serious vision-threatening problems are very rare, especially if complications are recognized and treated promptly.
Eyelid Problems:
Common causes of eyelid problems include swollen eyelids, gritty feeling in the eyes, itchy or flaky eyelids, and droopy eyelids
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