Anterior versus posterior
Blepharitis is commonly cataloged based upon anatomic location. Anterior blepharitis is defined as inflammation affecting the lash margin, involving both staphylococcal and seborrheic blepharitis; and posterior blepharitis is defined as meibomian gland involvement posterior to the lash margin.
Anterior blepharitis affects the outside of the eyelid where the eyelashes attach. There are three main types of anterior blepharitis: seborrheic, ulcerative, and demodex.
SA-blepharitis has golden yellow crusting at the base of the lash which progresses along the lash when it grows. Demodex, on the other hand, is a parasite, giving rise to gelatinous debris, which surrounds the base of the lash, described as a dandruff cuff (DC).
Signs that are suggestive of Demodex infestation are any kind of debris on the eyelashes, including cylindrical dandruff, scaly debris, or waxy debris; eyelid erythema; and eyelid telangiectasia. Eyelash Demodex infestation can occur in any age group.
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.
Blepharitis can be confused with other conditions such as ocular rosacea, episcleritis, herpetic keratitis, or conjunctivitis (pink eye).
What causes blepharitis? Most of the time, blepharitis happens because you have too much bacteria on your eyelids at the base of your eyelashes. Having bacteria on your skin is normal, but too much bacteria can cause problems. You can also get blepharitis if the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged or irritated.
Progressive stages of blepharitis
Stage 4: Chronic inflammation leads to a breakdown in the structural . integrity of the eyelid leading to lid laxity, entropion, and ectropion.
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.
For people with severe cases of blepharitis, Columbia ophthalmologists might prescribe antibiotic medications or steroid eyedrops. For people who also have scalp dandruff, the doctor might recommend a dandruff shampoo to help with treatment. People who also have acne rosacea should have that condition treated as well.
How Does Your Optometry Center Treat Blepharitis? Our optometry team will first eliminate other possible causes of your symptoms by performing an eye exam. Once we know that you have blepharitis, we can treat your eyelids and rims of your eyes to remove bacteria, fungi, and mites.
Blepharitis can be part of the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis or a highly reactive form of acne known as rosacea. A combination of blepharitis and dry mouth may indicate an autoimmune condition known as Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome.
Lid hygiene, consisting of lid cleansing using a variety of measures, is the first line of management regardless of type of blepharitis. Lid cleansing measures wipe away bacteria and deposits from lid margins and lead to improved signs and symptoms in the majority of individuals.
Blepharitis rarely disappears completely. Even with successful treatment, the condition frequently is chronic and requires daily attention with eyelid scrubs. If you don't respond to treatment, or if you've also lost eyelashes or only one eye is affected, the condition could be caused by a localized eyelid cancer.
Eyelids that are persistently red, inflamed or itchy are signs of a common eye condition called blepharitis. Sometimes, this is caused by an excess of bacteria or clogged oil glands at the base of the eyelashes. Other times, it may result from an over-population of microscopic mites living inside the eyelash follicles.
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.
Mix warm water and a small amount of non-irritating (baby) shampoo or a commercially prepared lid scrub solution recommended by a doctor of optometry. Using a clean cloth (a different one for each eye), rub the solution back and forth across the eyelashes and the edge of the closed eyelid. Rinse with clear water.
Other dermatological manifestations of vitamin A deficiency include blepharitis [16], noted in our first patient, and cheilitis.
Symptoms of chronic blepharitis may include redness, burning sensation, irritation, tearing, eyelid crusting and sticking, and visual problems such as photophobia and blurred vision.
To determine if blepharitis is being caused by eyelash mites, your health care provider will use a special magnifying instrument to examine the eyelid. They may also take a skin, oil or eyelash sample to examine under a microscope.
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.