Moist heat is very helpful when it comes to eye lid hygiene. Although it is somewhat helpful to try to run warm water over the eyelids during a shower, hot compresses are more effective. A wet wash cloth can be micro waved for about 30 seconds to bring it up to temperature. (Be careful that you don't get it too hot.)
Wet a clean washcloth with warm water. Then wring it out. Close your eyes and place the warm washcloth over your eyelids for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps loosen scales or crusts.
Self-care measures, such as washing your eyes and using warm compresses, might be all that's needed for most cases of blepharitis.
Blepharitis cannot be totally cured, but it is possible to make your eyes more comfortable: Warm compresses – these will help to unblock glands and loosen the crusts on the eyelid so that they are easier to remove.
Blepharitis tends to be worse in cold windy weather, air-conditioned environments, prolonged computer usage, sleep deprivation, contact lens wear, and with general dehydration. It also tends to be worse in the presence of active skin disease e.g. acne rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis.
What's the treatment for blepharitis? The best way to treat blepharitis is to keep your eyelids clean and free of crusts. Use water and a gentle cleanser (like baby shampoo) to clean your eyelids and remove crusts every day.
Keep your eyes as clean as possible. Make sure you remove all eye makeup before you go to sleep. Don't use eyeliner on the back edges of your eyelids behind the eyelashes. If you are already suffering from blepharitis, avoid using makeup until it has completely cleared.
These include processed or fried foods, sugar, white flour and fizzy drinks tends to aggravate the condition. I have also found that a varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and high intake of natural Omega-3 containing foods helps reduce flare-ups.
Some doctors also recommend Vaseline for specific dry eye conditions. It may help with blepharitis, which causes dry and irritated eyelids, as well as dysfunction in the meibomian glands that lubricate the eyes. Petroleum jelly from Vaseline can also help keep wounds moist. This may help prevent scarring.
You can't cure blepharitis. However, it can be treated and controlled through proper eyelid hygiene. Left untreated, blepharitis may lead to other more serious eye conditions, including corneal problems, which may be significant.
If you're treating the symptoms of blepharitis, the outlook is normally good. By carefully cleaning your eyelids every day and using eye drops, a flare-up might only last a few days! If it lasts a little longer, don't worry this is normal too.
Blepharitis is controlled by cleaning the eyelids twice a day and may also require drops and/or ointment.
Massage: Massage should be done immediately after applying the warmth. With clean hands, massage along the length of the eyelids towards the ear (massage upper lid down and the lower lid up) with the eyes closed using comfortable pressure. Massage for 30 seconds and repeat 5–10 times after warming the eyelids.
The recommended regime is four times a day for two weeks, then twice a day for a month, and twice a week after that. If you are using a simple hot compress with a face flannel then warm saltwater soaks are preferred as this is more isotonic and thus more comfortable and less likely to wrinkle the eyelid skin.
Exposure to sunlight, drinking excess alcohol, or caffeinated beverages, eating a lot of greasy foods can all be factors in making this condition worse. These factors should be limited or completely avoided.
Inflammation from blepharitis can cause ongoing pain and soreness by irritating very sensitive corneal nerves. This can be exacerbated by anxiety and stress and depression and when the eyes become a psychological focus of attention.
Stage 1: Early biofilm formation with swelling of the lash follicles, lash misdirection. Stage 2: Inflammation of meibomian glands with plugging. Stage 3: Lacrimal involvement leads to aqueous insufficiency with little to no tear lake. Stage 4: Chronic inflammation leads to a breakdown in the structural .
LipiFlow is the “gold standard” for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, ocular rosacea and dry eye. This is because LipiFlow is the most effective way to unclog and evacuate your meibomian glands.
Stress, even when you don't have a chronic skin condition, can affect how well your skin barrier functions; psychological stress has an association with dry eye, which can lead to blepharitis.
Blepharitis usually affects both eyes at the same time. It can sometimes happen that only one eye is affected, but it's uncommon. Although most cases of blepharitis are mild, left untreated the condition can lead to secondary problems, and it is these that can sometimes affect one eye more than the other.
Viral blepharitis
When blepharitis is caused by a virus, it's often herpes simplex or varicella zoster that's at fault, although molluscum contagiosum can also cause blepharitis. These viruses can cause blistering on the eyelids, and are treated with antiviral medication.