What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition when a person’s eyelid becomes inflammatory. Eyelids are folds of skins that covers the eyes and protect it from injury. Above the eyelids are eyelashes, a short and curved hair follicles. Eyelashes carry oil glands which sometimes becomes clogged and irritated causing eyelid inflammation also known as blepharitis. It effects both the eyes at the same time or sometime it effects the single at a time. However, it does not permanently damage eyesight.

According to the survey by ophthalmologists, and optometrists most people they consult showed symptoms of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation. It is very common eye dieses and it symptoms are manageable. Mostly it occurs to adults and children both male and female. However, staphylococcal blepharitis is one form of this eye disease which manly effects females.


Causes of Blepharitis

There are no exact reason or causes of blepharitis as there are number of factors that causes eyelid inflammation also known as Blepharitis. 

  • Some of the factors include an allergic reaction to makeup or cosmetic product you apply on the area around eyes or on eyelid. 
  • There is also a high risk of blepharitis if you have dandruff on your eyelashes.
  • Some causes of Blepharitis includes medication side effects, clogged oil glands, allergic reaction to makeup and other cosmetic products, or dandruff or lice on eyelashes. 
  • Seasonal allergies, allergies to medication, lotions, and pets etc. , poor hygrines, viruses, poor sleep cycle, and trauma to the eyes are some of the other causes of blepharitis.

Types of Eyelid Inflammation:

There are two types of eyelid inflammation.

Anterior Blepharitis:

It occurs on the outside area of your eyes where eyelashes are located. Main reasons for this type of eyelid inflammation are dandruff on eyelashes, or allergic reaction to makeup of cosmetic product.

Posterior Blepharitis:

It occurs to the inner side of the eyelashes and it is most closet to eyes. A clogged oil gland is the main reason for this type of eyelid inflammation or blepharitis.

Symptoms of Blepharitis

Symptoms of Blepharitis is usually visible as it swells your eyelid, causes irritation of eyelid and may effect your vision. Following are the symptoms of blepharitis.

  • Red eyes
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Itchy eyelids
  • Oily eyelids
  • Flaky skin around your eyes
  • Eyes burning
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Sensitivity of light
  • Inflamed eyelids
  • Dry eyes
  • Eyelashes falling out
  • Changes in your vision, blurriness

Factors of blepharitis:

Some of the factors of blepharitis are as follows:

  • If you wear contact Lense
  • Have diabetes
  • You may have contact with dust or chemicals
  • You have oily skin
  • Allergic to medication
  • You are going to hormones changes
  • You don’t remove makeup properly, or keep makeup for too long
  • You are being treated for cancer
  • You don’t wash your eyelid properly
  • You have a lot of bacteria on the skin

Diagnosis of Blepharitis

If you have symptoms of Blepharitis then it is recommended to consult an eye specialist as sometimes physical examination is necessary to diagnose the exact condition. most of the eye specialist closely monitor the eyelid with a magnifying glass and blepharitis mostly occurs due to infections on eyelids.

the eye specialist examines the eyelid with the help of a magnifying glass to look for bacteria, fungus or viruses around the eyes or on eyelid. There may be the reasons for eye inflammation of blepharitis. If your eye specialist found any symptoms of infection then he can take sample of water dribbling from your eyes for further examination under microscope.

Treatment for Blepharitis

The first thing anyone should do if he have symptoms of Blepharitis is to wash their eyes with clean and cold water and compress their eyes with warm cloth to reduce inflammation. Depending on the conditions and severity of eyelid inflammation, the eye specialist may recommend other treatments including using eye drops.
Some of the major treatment for Blepharitis are as follows:

Antibiotics:

The eye specialist may recommend a course of antibiotics for the treatment of eyelid inflammation. The antibiotics include medications, ointments, eye drops, and pills prescribed by the eye specialist.

Steroid Treatment

If you don’t have any major or sever symptoms, then the eye specialist may prescribe steroids, eye drops or some ointment to reduce eyelid inflammation. The eye specialist also recommends you to lubricates your eyes multiple times in a day if your have dry eyes symptoms.

Blepharitis Home Remedies

Some of the Blepharitis home remedies are as follows:

  • Proper cleansing of eyelids and eyes
  • Wash your eyes with clean water
  • Compress your eyes with warm and soft cloth
  • Uses diluted baby shampoo and pre moisturized eyelid wipes to clean the eyelid properly
  • Lubricate your eyes with drops multiple times a day
  • Avoid makeup on eyelids and area around eyes.
  • Rinse your eyes with clean water

Read More: What To Know About Computer Eye Strain


Prevention and Home Care of Blepharitis

  • Blepharitis is a condition that can be painful, uncomfortable and have blurry vision. Mostly it is unpreventable but there are some ways to reduce the risk of eyelid inflammation.
  • Wash your face daily and clean your eyes.
  • Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes when you feel itchiness on eyelids. Rubbing your eyes can spread the infection that may sever the eyelid inflammation.
  • If you see any dandruff on your eyelashes the immediately consult your eye specialist. He can prescribe you a medication or shampoo that reduces dandruff on eye lashes.

Conclusion

That’s all about the Blepharitis or most commonly known as eyelid inflammation. In this article we discuss in detail about this chronic eye disease including its prevention and cure. There are some home remedies for Blepharitis through which you can reduces the itchiness and severity. However, it is always recommended to consult an eye specialist when symptoms of eyelid inflammation occurs. 

Please book an appointment with the Best ENT Specialist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.