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Blepharitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Blepharitis (BLEF-uh-RYE-tis) is an irritation of the edges of your eyelids. It may affect your eyelids, eyelashes, the glands that oil your lids, and the whites of your eyes. Blepharitis is a hard disease to treat. It may take 8 to 12 months to clear up, and could last indefinitely.

Causes

Infection and allergies are the most likely causes. Other diseases, such as diabetes, may also trigger the problem.

Signs/Symptoms

You're likely to have burning, itching, and soreness of the eyelids, plus the feeling that there's a foreign body in your eye. The eyelids may be red, warm, swollen and have greasy scales on them. Overnight, your lids may be glued shut by matter that has drained from the eyelids and dried. You may have flaking around your lashes or lose lashes. Bright light may hurt your eyes.

Care

If an infection is the cause, you may need antibiotics.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Wash your eyelids with warm salt water or a warm soapless shampoo in the morning and at night.
    • Carefully remove the scales from the eyelids daily. To do this, use a cotton tipped swab. There may be bleeding after you remove the scales.
    • Use a clean towel each time you dry your eyelids.
  • To ease discomfort and speed healing, apply a warm washcloth to the eyelid several times a day for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Do not wear eye makeup until the eyelid has healed.
  • To relieve discomfort, you may use non-prescription medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • You have pain in your eye.
  • Your eyesight changes.
  • You have any new symptoms.
  • Your symptoms continue for longer than 2 weeks.
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