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Definition
Blepharitis is a common and persistent inflammation of the eyelids.
Symptoms include irritation, itching and occasionally a red eye.
Blepharitis frequently occurs in people who have oily skin, dandruff
or dry eyes.
Bacteria are on the surface of everyone's skin, but in certain
individuals they thrive in the skin at the base of the eyelashes. The
resulting irritation, sometimes associated with over activity of the
nearby oil glands causes dandruff-like scales and particles to form
along the lashes and eyelid margins.
For some people the scales or bacteria associated with blepharitis
produce only minor irritation and itching, but in others it may cause
redness, stinging or burning. Some people may develop an allergy to
the scales or to the bacteria which surround them. This can lead to a
more serious complication with inflammation of other eye tissues,
particularly the cornea.
Blepharitis can begin in early childhood, producing "granulated
eyelids" and continuing throughout life as a chronic condition, or it
can develop later in life.
Symptoms
Itching, irritation, red eyes
"Gritty" or "sandy" feeling
Flakes on the lashes
Abnormality of the oily layer often exacerbates dry eye conditions.
Occasionally blepharitis predisposes to cysts as the glands block and
swell.
The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have
blepharitis. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms,
contact your eye doctor for a complete exam.
Treatment
Medications: Many medication treatments are available for
blepharitis, including antibiotics and steroid (cortisone)
preparations in drop or ointment form. While cortisone medications
often hasten relief of symptoms, long-term use can cause some harmful
side effects. Once the acute phase of blepharitis is overcome (after
several weeks), milder medications may be helpful, or none at all may
be needed to control the eyelid inflammation. However, medications
alone are not sufficient; the daily cleansing routine described below
is essential.
Blepharitis can be controlled through a careful, regular program of
hygiene.
Note: Always consult your doctor before beginning a course of
treatment.
To treat blepharitis, you should obtain the following materials:
- A good "cosmetic" mirror.
- Cotton balls, a clean washcloth or
commercial lint-free pads;
- Cotton-tipped applicators
("Q-tips");
- Bicarbonate solution= ¼ teaspoon of
Bicarbonate of soda in a cup full of
-----boiled water—mixed and allowed to
cool to warm.
- A small, clean glass or cup.
The cleansing routine below should be
followed at least twice a day at first; perhaps less often as the
condition improves.
Take the clean washcloth and wet it with warm (not boiling) water.
Wring it out and place it over the closed eyelids for five minutes.
This will help to soften the crusts and loosen the oily debris. Repeat
as necessary to maintain the desired temperature.
If you are not using one of the ready-made eyelid cleansing solutions,
prepare your own by filling the small glass or jar with
warm(previously boiled) water and adding ¼ tsp of bicarbonat of soda.
Moisten a cotton ball, clean cloth, or lint-free pad in the commercial
cleansing solution or the one you have prepared. Pull down the lower
eyelid with your finger and then gently massage the area along the
eyelashes for 15 to 30 seconds. Then close the eyes and massage the
upper eyelids at the base of the eyelashes for 15 to 30 seconds. Your
eyes should not be squeezed tightly shut, but closed softly as if you
were sleeping.
Looking into the magnifying mirror, use a Q-tip moistened in the
cleansing solution to gently brush the scales away from the eyelids.
You can brush either in a horizontal or vertical direction, as long as
the granular debris trapped in the eyelashes is effectively loosened
and removed. This procedure should take approximately 30 seconds for
each eyelid. Alternatively, lid scrubs can be performed with a warm
washcloth in a similar fashion while showering.
Thoroughly rinse your eyes with cool clean water and pat gently dry
with a clean towel. Discard any cleansing solution left in the small
glass and rinse it clean. If medication has been prescribed, it should
be applied to the eyes and/or eyelids along the lashes, following your
ophthalmologist's instructions.
Blepharitis is a common and chronic condition for which there is often
no cure. However, once the initial acute phase is controlled, vigorous
lid hygiene and patient cooperation results in excellent control of
the disease.
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