Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid. It develops at the place where the mucous membrane on the underside of the lid joins the skin on the top of the lid. It occurs in both children and adults. The condition can recur or become chronic.
The margin of the lid becomes inflamed along the eyelash line. Redness, scaling, and sometimes an infection can develop in the skin between the eyelashes.
Symptoms of the condition include: redness, swelling, burning, and crusting along the lid margins.scaling that clings to the eyelashes.ulceration of the skin and membranes. This produces weeping and swelling of the eyelids.secondary conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the inner eyelid and the white of the eye.loss of eyelashes.
The condition can be brought on by seborrhea. This is a dandruff-like condition that can appear wherever there is hair on the body. It can occur at the root of the eyelashes. Blepharitis can also be aggravated by a bacterial infection. Staphylococcal infection is the most common cause.
Keeping the eyelids clean is important. This helps prevent infection. A person who is prone to the condition might also try putting a warm compress on the area daily.
A healthcare professional can make the diagnosis by examining the lid and eyelash area with a special instrument called a slit-lamp microscope.
Blepharitis tends to occur repeatedly. The condition can lead to patchy loss of eyelashes. Eyelashes can grow in backwards. This can cause them to scratch the eyeball. Blepharitis can also create a tendency to develop infections in the glands of the eyelids. Styes, which are inflammations of the glands of the eyelid, and chalazions, which are enlargements of the oil glands of the eyelid, are common. If not controlled, the condition may lead to secondary conjunctivitis or even keratitis, which is an inflammation of the cornea.
Despite the redness of the lids and the white part of the eye, this does not represent a contagious condition.
Treatments include: Daily cleaning of the lid with a clean cloth soaked in warm water.Application of warm compresses to the lid and lids margins.Cleaning of the lid margins with a cotton ball or cotton swab soaked with several drops of baby shampoo.Topical antibiotic drops or ointment, such as erythromycin ointment applied at bedtime.
When cleaning the eyelashes, the person needs to be careful not to touch the eye.
This tends to be a chronic condition that is difficult to eliminate. Therefore, treatment must be started at the first sign of new symptoms and continued long term.
This condition is easily monitored by watching for symptoms. Often, cleaning the eyelids is all that is necessary to keep the condition under control. Antibiotics may be needed for sudden flare-ups.
