Blepharitis

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

First, let me confess that I had always thought you were a man until I read your delightful article about having dinner with President Reagan in the Sept./Oct. Post!

I am writing about Robyn Hope's problem with blepharitis. An allergic reaction to glaucoma drops caused me to develop a severe case of blepharitis. The treatment prescribed by my doctor was similar to that described by Dr. Valluri. The doctor changed my medicine and, after several months of the treatment regimen, the blepharitis disappeared.

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

Here is my home remedy for crusty eyes. When I was 14 years old, I read in a magazine that applying castor oil to one's eyelashes daily would promote growth of the lashes. Thinking it would be nice to have long lashes, I started the practice. Needless to say, it didn't make my eyelashes grow any longer. But to my amazement, it took away the scales and the itching of my eyes.

I put the oil on at night after showering, just prior to bedtime. If my eyes are a bit dry during the day, I put on a smaller amount, as it burns a bit. Hope this helps someone with this problem.

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

I have had blepharitis for several years. Whenever I go to the doctor for an eye exam, I get a prescription for Tobradex. I use one drop in the morning and one drop in the evening for seven to eight days. It stops the symptoms of blepharitis for six to eight weeks.

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

The treatment my doctor prescribed for blepharitis closely follows the one in your column. He recommends using tear-less baby shampoo that is now on the market.

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

I suffer with blepharitis. My ophthalmologist was treating me with eye scrubs and drops. One day I asked my family doctor if handling a cat could cause this problem. He said yes.

I stopped holding my neighbor's cat and within a month my eyes started to improve. I no longer have this problem. I had been seeing my eye specialist every three months for two years.

Dear Dr. SerVaas:

I had blepharitis and tried medications, eye washes, and eye drops without success.

Then I read in the newspaper about flaxseed oil for the condition. It worked for me. I take 1,000 milligrams of organic fiaxseed oil each morning and evening.

We have received many more letters from women with blepharitis than from men who suffer from the condition. We asked Indianapolis ophthalmologist Dr. Thierry Wilbrandt about his experience with treating the chronic condition.

"In my practice, I treat many more women than men for this problem," he said. "It is believed that hormonal changes in women may make them subject to the eye condition. The problem comes with age. Women may begin getting `dry eyes' in their 40s and frequently require use of artificial tears in their 70s."

Dr. Wilbrandt explained that blepharitis tends to recur. He was very optimistic, however, that the symptoms can be cured.

Readers may send their letters to 1100 Waterway Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202 or via e-mail: medicalmailbox@satevepost.org. Please include mailing address.

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