Blepharitis occurs when greasy dandruff accumulates at the base of the eyelashes causing several problems:
Dry eyes. The blockage of the eyelid’s fat glands causes tears evaporate. The eye becomes dry and is red and tender, with the feeling that there's a foreign object in the eye. Sometimes vision is blurred.
Hordeolum (an external sty). The blockage of the eyelid’s fat glands causes the fat in the glands to accumulate along with skin bacteria, resulting in an infection creating a painful red lump on the eyelid.
Chalazion. A cyst in the eyelid caused by inflammation of blocked fat glands, usually on the upper eyelid, that is not infected; or a sty that exists for a few weeks causing a tough but painless lump.
An allergic reaction to staphylococcus bacteria that accumulates on the eyelids around the dandruff can cause conjunctivitis, wounds or a corneal ulcer.
If blepharitis reaches an advanced stage, it can cause eyelashes to shed or eyelashes turn inward toward the eye, and sores on the eye’s surface.
Treating blepharitis takes time.
Primary treatment, which should continue for at least 3 months: cleaning the eyelids with baby shampoo or special wipes to remove the dandruff and decrease the amount of bacteria.
Application of antibiotic ointment with or without steroids, usually at night before going to sleep.
Wetting the eye with synthetic tear drops.
Treating hordeolum. Applying hot compresses and an antibiotic ointment. If necessary the glands can be drained surgically. In difficult cases, an antibiotic medication that substantially decreases the fat secreting from the eyelid’s glands is prescribed.
This Health Tip courtesy of Dr. Yael Dekel, Department of Ophthalmology.