Bacteria are on the surface of everyone's skin, but in certain individuals they thrive in the skin at the base of the eyelashes. The resulting irritation sometimes associated with over activity of the nearby oil glands cause’s dandruff-like scales and particles to form along the lashes and eyelid margins.
For some people the scales or bacteria associated with Blepharitis produce only minor irritation and itching, but in others it may cause redness, stinging or burning. Some people may develop an allergy to the scales or to the bacteria which surround them. This can lead to a more serious complication with inflammation of other eye tissues, particularly the cornea.
Blepharitis can begin in early childhood, producing "granulated eyelids" and continuing throughout life as a chronic condition, or it can develop later in life.
Symptoms
- Itching, irritation, red eyes
- "Gritty" or "sandy" feeling
- Flakes on the lashes
At your comprehensive eye examination a careful inspection of the lid margins and oil glands is done using a high powered slit lamp microscope.
Treatment
While medications alone are not sufficient to control Blepharitis, antibiotics and steroid preparations are sometimes used for a short period of time in the acute phase. Many medication treatments are available for Blepharitis, including antibiotics and steroid (cortisone) preparations in drop or ointment form.
Long term control depends on a careful and regular program of lid hygiene. There are special soaps and lid cleanser that are recommended for this use. The newest being Ocusoft Lid Scrub Foam. Warm compresses have been found to provide significant benefit as well. Tranquileyes, the newest product for Blepharitis, delivers sustained heat to eye lids effectively and conveniently.