What is Blepharitis and How is it Treated?
Blepharitis, or the inflammation of the eyelids, is a common condition that can be associated with dry eyes, irritated eyelids, and intermittent blurred vision. This condition can be a result of an underlying condition such as rosacea, may be due to a reaction to bacteria on the eyelid, or from a buildup of oil in the oil glands of the eyelids.
Treatments for blepharitis can include over-the-counter methods such as eyelid scrubs as well as prescription medications like doxycycline and steroid eye drops.
Inflammation in the Eyelids
The eyelids are susceptible to inflammation that may cause redness, swelling, flakiness, and itching or irritation.
These symptoms can be caused by any type of inflammation in the eyelids, regardless of the cause.
Generally, inflammation of the eyelids is categorized into two classes based on the location of the inflammation as either anterior or posterior blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis affects the front or surface of the eyelids and is usually associated with red and irritated eyelid skin.
Posterior blepharitis affects the back of the eyelids and the oil glands within the eyelids. Posterior blepharitis is usually found in conjunction with dry eyes and may also lead to intermittent blurred vision that improves with blinking.
Underlying Causes of Blepharitis
Most cases of blepharitis have at least a contributing underlying cause. Whether this is another eye condition, a systemic health condition, or an environmental factor, these causes contribute to the development and worsening of blepharitis.
One common cause of blepharitis is rosacea – often ocular rosacea. This is a skin condition in which the surface layer of the skin is continually red and inflamed.
When the rosacea impacts the eyelids, it can lead to blepharitis.
Systemic conditions that lead to excessive inflammation within the body like sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis can also increase the likelihood of developing blepharitis.
If there are environmental factors such as bacterial build-up, cosmetic products, or sun exposure, the eyelids can react and become inflamed – developing a form of blepharitis.
Diagnosing Blepharitis
Blepharitis can be diagnosed in an eye examination by your eye doctor. Using a slit lamp biomicroscope, the doctor will examine the eyelids and eyelashes closely for signs of inflammation and blepharitis.
If there are subtle signs of inflammation, questions about symptoms of blepharitis may assist in making the proper diagnosis.
Treatments for Blepharitis
There are multiple options for treating blepharitis including over-the-counter and prescription medications.
One of the simplest treatment options is to use eyelid cleansing wipes that have dilute amounts of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory chemicals to help cleanse the eyelid and prevent the development of blepharitis.
If the eyelids are already inflamed, a prescription eye drop or ointment may be needed. These medications are steroids that help reduce the inflammation in the eyelids.
For blepharitis that is due to underlying ocular rosacea, there is an antibiotic, doxycycline, which has been shown to help reduce the inflammation and prevent further outbreaks of blepharitis.
To determine the best treatment, consult with your eye doctor about your symptoms and any add additional conditions which you have.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today to be evaluated for blepharitis. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun, provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
Blepharitis, or the inflammation of the eyelids, is a common condition that can be associated with dry eyes, irritated eyelids, and intermittent blurred vision. This condition can be a result of an underlying condition such as rosacea, may be due to a reaction to bacteria on the eyelid, or from a buildup of oil in the oil glands of the eyelids.
Treatments for blepharitis can include over-the-counter methods such as eyelid scrubs as well as prescription medications like doxycycline and steroid eye drops.
Inflammation in the Eyelids
The eyelids are susceptible to inflammation that may cause redness, swelling, flakiness, and itching or irritation.
These symptoms can be caused by any type of inflammation in the eyelids, regardless of the cause.
Generally, inflammation of the eyelids is categorized into two classes based on the location of the inflammation as either anterior or posterior blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis affects the front or surface of the eyelids and is usually associated with red and irritated eyelid skin.
Posterior blepharitis affects the back of the eyelids and the oil glands within the eyelids. Posterior blepharitis is usually found in conjunction with dry eyes and may also lead to intermittent blurred vision that improves with blinking.
Underlying Causes of Blepharitis
Most cases of blepharitis have at least a contributing underlying cause. Whether this is another eye condition, a systemic health condition, or an environmental factor, these causes contribute to the development and worsening of blepharitis.
One common cause of blepharitis is rosacea – often ocular rosacea. This is a skin condition in which the surface layer of the skin is continually red and inflamed.
When the rosacea impacts the eyelids, it can lead to blepharitis.
Systemic conditions that lead to excessive inflammation within the body like sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis can also increase the likelihood of developing blepharitis.
If there are environmental factors such as bacterial build-up, cosmetic products, or sun exposure, the eyelids can react and become inflamed – developing a form of blepharitis.
Diagnosing Blepharitis
Blepharitis can be diagnosed in an eye examination by your eye doctor. Using a slit lamp biomicroscope, the doctor will examine the eyelids and eyelashes closely for signs of inflammation and blepharitis.
If there are subtle signs of inflammation, questions about symptoms of blepharitis may assist in making the proper diagnosis.
Treatments for Blepharitis
There are multiple options for treating blepharitis including over-the-counter and prescription medications.
One of the simplest treatment options is to use eyelid cleansing wipes that have dilute amounts of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory chemicals to help cleanse the eyelid and prevent the development of blepharitis.
If the eyelids are already inflamed, a prescription eye drop or ointment may be needed. These medications are steroids that help reduce the inflammation in the eyelids.
For blepharitis that is due to underlying ocular rosacea, there is an antibiotic, doxycycline, which has been shown to help reduce the inflammation and prevent further outbreaks of blepharitis.
To determine the best treatment, consult with your eye doctor about your symptoms and any add additional conditions which you have.