Eye Diseases and Conditions Slideshow Pictures Pink Eye Slideshow Pictures Cataracts Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Dr. Weinstock is a board-certified ophthalmologist. He practices general ophthalmology in Canton, Ohio, with a special interest in contact lenses. He holds faculty positions of Professor of Ophthalmology at the Northeastern Ohio Colleges of Medicine and Affiliate Clinical Professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Eyelid Inflammation Symptoms

Blepharitis usually causes symptoms of eye itching, irritation, burning, and the sensation that something "may be in the eye." The complaint that "my eyes feel dry" is common.

With contact-lens wearers, it is often mentioned that "I can't wear my lenses for as long as I did before" and "the lenses irritate me more."

The lids may be red and may have ulcerative, non-healing areas which may actually bleed.

• Vision is usually normal, although a poor tear film often blurs vision, causing varying amounts of fluctuating vision during the day.



• Redness, warmth, and swelling in advanced cases may also be noted.

In allergic blepharitis, the lids may appear dark like raccoon eyes. This is called an "allergic shiner" and is very common in children.

• Flaking and eyelid matting or "gluing" of the lashes are common.



• In the infectious form, there may be yellow- or green-colored fluid/discharge, which causes sticking of the lids, especially in the morning.



• With the most common seborrheic form, dry, flaky patches of skin may develop. Dandruff is common on the scalp and the eyebrows.

Blepharitis may localize in the skin of the eyelids causing a sty or a chalazion, which, if it does not respond to medical treatment, may require incision (lancing) for drainage.

Increased tear production is common and may be quite bothersome.

Chronic blepharitis may result in damage of varying severity. This may have a marked negative effect upon vision and therefore upon the eyeglass prescription.