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Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an eruption producing inflammation of eyelids and eyelashes. It is characterized by white flaky skin near the eyelashes. Blepharitis usually causes redness of the eyes and itching and irritation of the eyelids. more...

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There are two types. One, anterior blepharitis affects the front of the eyelids near the eyelashes. The causes are seborrheic dermatitis (similar to dandruff) and occasional infection by Staphylococcus bacteria. Two, posterior blepharitis affects the back of the eyelids, the part that makes contact with the eyes. This is caused by the oil glands present in this region

Staphylococcal blepharitis

Staphlycoccal blepharitis is a type of external eye inflammation. As with dandruff, it is usually asymptomatic until the disease progresses. As it progresses, the sufferer begins to notice a foreign body sensation, *mattering of the lashes, and burning. Usually, the primary care physician will prescribe topical antibiotics for staphylococcal blepharitis.

Seborrheic blepharitis

Seborrheic blepharitis, the inherited most common type of blepharitis, is usually one part of the spectrum of seborrheic dermatitis seborrhea which involves the scalp, lashes, eyebrows, nasolabial folds and ears. Treatment is best accomplished by a dermatologist.

Treatment and management

There is generally no cure for blepharitis, but it can be controlled by maintaining regular eyelid hygiene. Application of a damp warm cloth on the eyes helps unblock the Meibomian glands and this should be followed by firm massage of the eyelids with diluted baby shampoo, which acts as a mild cleaning agent. Antibiotic drops or ointments are prescribed in severe cases.

Dermatologists treat blepharitis similarly to seborrheic dermatitis by using safe topical anti-inflammatory medication like sulfacetamide or brief courses of a mild topical steroid.

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Baby shampoo for eye crust
From Saturday Evening Post, 9/1/05 by Cory SerVaas

Dear Dr. SerVaas,

I'm writing to find out if there is a better way to treat blepharitis. My ophthalmologist says to soak the eyelids with warm water and then to rub away the crusts with a washcloth. This does not work well for me, partly because I can't see the crusts without the magnifying part of my glasses, and with them on it's very difficult to get to the crusts with my wet cloth. I tried cotton swabs, but they don't work well.

I'm wondering if there is something like an oil or medicine that would be OK to use on my eyelids that would either prevent or at least make removal of the crusts easier to do.

Lois Mears

Springfield, Oregon

Diluted Johnson's Baby Shampoo can help you safely remove crusts and control symptoms of blepharitis, a persistent inflammation of the eyelids and eyelash hair follicles.

Eyelid scrubs should be done two to three times a day when symptoms occur and every morning as maintenance therapy, according to Indiana University ophthalmologist Shailaja Valluri.

She advises her patients to place a warm washcloth over the closed eyelids for one minute. Then, gently scrub the lashes with Q-Tips dipped in a solution of three drops of Johnson's Baby Shampoo in one-half cup warm water for at least 60 seconds per eye.

Ready-to-use wipes are a convenient option. One such product, OcuSoft lid scrubs, is available at drugstores nationwide.

Eye doctors also recommend two drops of Visine Tears in each eye four times daily for blepharitis patients who have tearing eyes. It seems strange that when your eyes are tearing you need moistening drops, but you do.

"The reason you need moisture for eyes that already 'water' is that this watering is frequently due to irritation caused by dry eyes," explained Indianapolis ophthalmologist Dr. Eugene Helveston. "Simple eye-moistening drops reduce the irritation which causes watering in the first place. Why Visine Tears instead of regular Visine? The reason is that prolonged use of drops with a vessel-shrinking agent, usually epinephrine, causes a rebound vessel dilation much as what occurs with chronic use of certain nose drops. This does not occur with Visine Tears."

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