Blepharitis

What Is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the eyelids, particularly at the lid margins. This common disorder is sometimes associated with a low-grade bacterial infection or a generalized skin condition. The two forms of blepharitis are anterior and posterior. In anterior blepharitis, the outside front of the eyelid where the eyelashes attach is affected. The most frequent causes of this are bacteria and scalp dandruff. The other form of blepharitis, posterior, affects the inner eyelid and is caused by oil gland problems in the eyelid. Two skin disorders can cause this: acne rosacea and scalp dandruff.

What are the Symptoms of Blepharitis?

With both types of blepharitis, symptoms may include: eye irritation, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, crusty debris, itchiness, dryness and red margins. In patients with blepharitis, a chronic sandy-gritty eye feeling, which is worse upon wakening is often reported. This feeling is due both to decreased tear production during sleep and the fact that eye closure brings inflamed lids right up against the eye. When patients are awake, tear flow increases, eyelids pull away from the cornea and symptoms improve as the day goes on.

What Treatments exist for Blepharitis?

Managing blepharitis is difficult because it tends to recur. Treatments depend on the type of blepharitis the patient has and include: applying warm compresses, cleansing and/or massaging the eyelids, artificial tears, lubricating ointments, silicone punctal plugs or steroids.