What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis, pronounced bleh-fur-RY-tis, means inflammation of the eyelid. The edges of your lids turn red or dark in color and become swollen and scaly. Blepharitis usually affects both eyes. It can happen when a skin condition causes irritation, when you develop an infection or when oil glands become clogged. All of these things can even happen at once.
Blepharitis is a term for inflammation, but it can lead to an infection in your eye. However, most cases of blepharitis aren’t contagious. They aren’t likely to lead to blindness.
Can I treat my blepharitis at home?
For some types of blepharitis, self-care at home may help soothe the symptoms. If you believe you have blepharitis, try these tips:
- Avoid eye makeup: To lessen irritation, you may want to avoid eye makeup until the inflammation is managed.
- Use warm compresses: Take a clean washcloth and wet it with very warm water. Wring out excess water, and place the cloth over your eyelids. Repeat this as necessary to keep the cloth temperature constant. Eventually, the crusts will dampen and oily debris will be easier to wipe away. Commercially available microwavable heat masks can hold heat longer and may be more effective.
- Get some omega-3s: Some studies have found that omega-3s, found in fish or flax seed oil, will help the glands in your eyes work better. Eating green, leafy vegetables and avoiding high fat foods can also be helpful.
- Lid scrubs: These are available over the counter as a spray, foam or individually wrapped towelettes, often containing hypochlorous acid. They help reduce dandruff on your lashes and the bacterial numbers on your eyelid skin.
Alternatively, you can make your own lid scrubs at home. Follow these steps:
- Use a new clean cloth to wash each eyelid. This will help lessen any bacteria spread from one eye to the other.
- Mix a solution of 50% baby shampoo and 50% water.
- Place the warm, wet washcloth over your index finger and apply the soapy solution to the cloth.
- Close the eye you’re cleansing and rub the washcloth over the lashes and lid margins several times using horizontal strokes.
- Rinse thoroughly with a clean, warm wet washcloth.
- Repeat for your other eye.
If cleaning your eyelids carefully for several days doesn’t get rid of the crusts, you should see an eye care provider.
How will an eye care provider treat my blepharitis?
Your blepharitis treatment will depend upon the type you have. After examining your eyelid swelling and running tests, your provider may prescribe treatments that include some or all of the following.
Antibiotics to treat blepharitis
You may get a prescription for an antibiotic ointment — such as erythromycin, bacitracin ophthalmic or Polysporin® for your eyelid — or for antibiotic eye drops, such as a combination of polymyxin B and trimethoprim (Polytrim®). These treatments may help resolve the bacterial infection and reduce irritation. Cases that persist may require an oral antibiotic, such as doxycycline or azithromycin.
Anti-inflammatories to treat blepharitis
Your provider may add a steroid eye drop or cream to your treatment plan if you need stronger medicine. Steroids reduce inflammation. Your provider may prescribe both antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to treat underlying conditions or secondary infections.
Immunomodulators to treat blepharitis
Adding an immunomodulatory drug, such as cyclosporine ophthalmic (Restasis®) in cases of posterior blepharitis, has been shown to reduce inflammation. These drugs block your body’s natural immune response and therefore reduce inflammation.
Treating blepharitis by treating the root cause
It’s important to treat root causes that trigger blepharitis, in addition to soothing symptoms. Skin conditions (such as rosacea) or eye ailments (such as dry eye) can lead to blepharitis recurring more often. In these cases, certain pills, skin creams, or eye drops for dry eyes may help.
Treating blepharitis with clinical procedures
Your provider can do some newer procedures in their office. These include:
- Lipiflow®, which warms up the lids and expresses the unhealthy oils.
- Intense Pulsed Light therapy, which involves the application of bright red light pulses to your eyelid skin.
- BlephEx®, which involves cleaning your eyelid margins.
What complications can result from blepharitis?
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.
Complications include:
- Chalazion: A chalazion is a small, painless eyelid bump/swelling.
- Corneal ulcer (keratitis): A sore on your cornea can result from prolonged infection or eyelid swelling.
- Eyelid issues: Eyelashes may shed, grow in odd directions or lighten because of chronic blepharitis.
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis): Some types of blepharitis may turn into chronic pink eye.
- Sty (stye): A sty (stye) is a red, painful eyelid bump near your eyelashes.
- Tear film issues: Tears exist in a delicate balance of mucus, oil and water to keep your eyes moist and protected. If skin or oily debris accumulates and causes irritation, you can develop dry eyes or excessive tearing. Healthy oils secreted by the eyelid margin help protect the tears from evaporating. Dry eye can get worse when blepharitis causes you to excrete unhealthy oils.
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