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.
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.
While blepharitis is not something you can cure, it can be managed when you have a flare-up. Home remedies, for example, can work wonders. Home remedies include: Putting a warm compress over your eyes – gently.
The main treatment for blepharitis is regularly cleaning your eyelids and keeping them free of crusts. Blepharitis usually doesn't go away completely, but you can take steps to manage your symptoms. Talk to your eye doctor about what's causing your blepharitis and the best ways to manage it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LipiFlow is the “gold standard” for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, ocular rosacea and dry eye.
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.
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.
BlephEx® is a new, in-office procedure that allows your doctor to take an active role in treating dry eye and blepharitis. BlephEx® removes excess bacteria, biofilm and bacterial toxins, the main causes of inflammatory dry eye and lid disease.
Blepharitis is controlled by cleaning the eyelids twice a day and may also require drops and/or ointment.
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.)
Topical antibiotics should be used in all cases of acute blepharitis and cases of anterior blepharitis. They have been found to be useful in symptomatic relief and eradicating bacteria from the lid margin. Topical antibiotic creams like bacitracin or erythromycin can be applied to the lid margin for 2 to 8 weeks.
Other dermatological manifestations of vitamin A deficiency include blepharitis [16], noted in our first patient, and cheilitis.
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.
Beyond causing patient discomfort, the presence of blepharitis can affect the outcomes of cataract and refractive surgery. And, as the prevalence of blepharitis increases with age, clinicians can expect to see a growing number of cases in the coming years.
No alternative medicine treatments have been proved to ease the symptoms of blepharitis. However, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids or supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids might help blepharitis associated with rosacea. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as salmon, tuna, trout, flaxseed and walnuts.
Use Flarex anti-inflammatory drops twice daily for 2 weeks. This requires a script. 2. Use Chlorsig antibiotic ointment at night for 2 weeks (some in eye and some on lid margin).
Sugar and eye inflammation
Yes, really. Blepharitis can be linked to your diet, according to Marchetti, and this is all about inflammation and balancing the gut. 'Too much sugar, such as from processed or manufactured foods, can upset our gut and cause inflammation,' she says.