Blepharitis
The medical term blepharitis refers to inflammation in a person’s eyelids. Although usually not sight-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort and subtle infection. Blepharitis is a chronic (no cure) disease, but daily treatment can minimize it.
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The site of the inflammation in the lid are tiny glands on both the upper and lower eyelids. These glands produce a clear oil that is part of the tear film of the eye. When a person has blepharitis, this oil changes to a thick greasy consistency which can then plug the oil glands causing styes and other minor problems. Even if it does not plug the gland, the greasy secretions accumulate on the lashes and trap debris, bacteria and produce side effects.
Fortunately, the treatment is relatively simple and can be built into a person’s schedule without inconvenience. The answer is good lid hygiene.
THE TREATMENT:
View informational video on 3DEye about Lid Scrubs and the Warm Compress.
To avoid blepharitis patients should use hot, moist lid scrubs. This involves placing a clean washcloth under warm tap water, add a dab of baby shampoo and gently rubbing the closed lids where the eyelashes exit, for two minutes.
Dr. Baron suggests the frequency that this procedure should be done depends upon the severity of the blepharitis, but it should be done AT LEAST ONCE each day. Although antibiotics may be of some help during the early treatment of blepharitis, they are much less important than effective and continued good hygiene.
Your adherence to this procedure will give you healthy comfortable eyes, free of blepharitis and its complications.
