Blepharitis (BLEH-fuh-REYE-tis) is a chronic irritation of the eyelids, which causes redness and matting of the eyelids. It has a variety of causes, ranging from allergy and infection to irritation, as well as skin cancers. It is the most common eye disease.
Usually, blepharitis is mainly a nuisance and responds well to treatment.
Blepharitis may be caused by inflammation, bacteria, allergies, tumors, environmental conditions, trauma such as rubbing the lids, tear film irregularities, or it may be related to systemic disease.
Blepharitis usually causes symptoms of eye itching, irritation, burning, increased tearing, 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 that may actually bleed.
In allergic blepharitis, the lids may appear dark like raccoon eyes. This is called an "allergic shiner" and is very common in children.
Secondarily, the cornea may show tiny erosions or peripheral corneal ulcers.
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, including redness, tearing, and matting of the lids. This may have a marked negative effect upon vision and therefore upon the eyeglass prescription. An inflammatory nodule of the lids (a sty) may develop. This is treated with antibiotic drops, hot compresses, or incision.
Use of contact lenses or dry eyes may also cause noninfectious blepharitis. Since there are many germs on the eyelids, antibiotic drops may be used in these conditions, as well.
Seek medical attention from your primary-care physician or your ophthalmologist when the irritation is bothersome and not improving with conservative use of warm compresses. It would be unusual to go to an emergency room for management of blepharitis.
Since blepharitis does not affect vision generally, any associated changes in vision (they would probably be unrelated) require immediate evaluation by your ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery).
Gradual vision changes that occur over several days should also be evaluated by your ophthalmologist, but these gradual vision changes are usually not an emergency. They are rarely caused by the blepharitis.
In general, call your ophthalmologist if you develop these symptoms:
If you cannot reach your ophthalmologist and you experience any acute (sudden) change in your vision, go to a hospital's emergency department for evaluation (rarely necessary with blepharitis since this is typically not an emergency and usually does not affect vision). Sudden loss of vision is a true medical emergency. This is rarely caused by or related to blepharitis but must be evaluated quickly.
Your ophthalmologist or primary-care physician usually diagnoses this condition after a careful history and an examination of your eyes and eyelids.
The exam usually consists of checking the vision after which the lids are examined, usually using the slit-lamp (microscope) if an ophthalmologist is consulted (the primary-care physician doesn't use a microscope).
Other diseases may affect your eyelids, so some of the questions or the examination may be focused on other parts of your body, as well as any medications, such as chemotherapeutic agents or antidepressants, that you are taking. The work environment, including exposure to any chemicals, may also be explored.
Occasionally cultures are
If it is suspected that the blepharitis is related to or caused by a systemic disease, a more complete evaluation by your primary-care physician may be indicated.
In some cases, an allergy evaluation may be required.
Good eyelid care is usually sufficient for treatment. Until this condition is cleared, you should refrain from using eye makeup or wearing contact lenses. Your lenses should be placed in a clean case with clean disinfectant solution. Daily eyelid care may be required after the initial episode has cleared.
Anytime that there is discharge from the lids, be careful to wash your hands often and not use other people's towels (or allow them to use yours). In most situations, there is minimal or no discharge, and the blepharitis is not contagious, except by direct contact via your hands or the secretions from the eye.
The cornerstone of therapy is good eyelid hygiene.
A doctor may prescribe one of several topical antibiotics (each physician has his or her own preferences) if your ophthalmologist or primary-care physician believes that you have an infectious form of blepharitis. Often, doctors may also prescribe antibiotic-steroid combinations. Occasional blurriness of vision may occur after eyedrops or ointments are placed in your eyes. This should clear up quickly with blinking. Ointments may also be used. However, they may cause blurring of vision.
Never use other people's eyedrops or medications. Occasionally, antibiotic drops or ointments that contain cortisone are used. If any cortisone drops or ointments are used, they should not be used for prolonged periods of time since they might cause glaucoma in susceptible individuals. These medications should never be used without the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Relatively recently, a topical cyclosporine drop has proved its efficacy in some patients. Massage of the lids several times a day may help empty the glands of the lid.
Resistant cases of infectious blepharitis may need a prolonged course of oral antibiotics (in addition to ointments such as tetracyclines or azithromycin).
Sensitivity to the topical or systemic medications may occur. If so, check with the prescribing physician or optometrist.
Recently, there has been interest in using omega-3 fatty acids in pill form for treatment of blepharitis and dry eye.
Allergic blepharitis appears similar to bacterial blepharitis and is treated with steroid (or antibiotic-steroid) eyedrops for a short period of time.
Blepharitis usually responds well to treatment. Your ophthalmologist will monitor your response to therapy on a periodic basis. Usually one visit is sufficient, with additional exams carried out only if it doesn't respond adequately to the treatment.
If dandruff is present, this must be treated with special shampoos.
If blepharitis is caused by an allergy at home or at work, simply avoiding the allergen (for example, a dog or cat) may avoid future problems. Steroid drops, by themselves or in combination with an antibiotic, may be prescribed.
In infants, the cause of the blepharitis may be a blocked tear duct. This is treated with gentle massage of the lids several times a day. In stubborn cases, the block might have to be opened with a special probe.
Long-term eyelid care may be necessary to prevent a recurrence of blepharitis. This may involve a combination of lid scrubs and medications.
If blepharitis is especially persistent and resistant to treatment, additional treatment with systemic medications (as mentioned above) may be necessary. It is important to rule out a malignancy in or near the eyelids.
If a patient who is scheduled to have eye surgery develops blepharitis, the surgery is usually postponed until after the blepharitis is treated.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
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415-561-8500
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common disorder of the tear film, affecting a significant percentage of the population, especially those older than 40 years of age. DES can affect any race and is more common in women than in men.
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