Blepharitis
What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is inflammation of your eyelids. It makes the eyelids red and crusty and your eyes feel sore or itchy. The eyelids can become puffy. The symptoms are usually worse in the morning and it is not associated with damage to the eyes.
Who is at risk from Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is most common in people over 50, but it can develop at any age. As you get older, the tears contain fewer lubricants and your eyes can feel gritty and dry.
How can I treat Blepharitis?
There are treatments which can help you reduce the effects of blepharitis. You may need the treatment for several months.
- Warm compresses
Warm compresses warm the material that blocks the glands and loosens the crusts on the eyelid, making them easier to remove. You can use a flannel as a warm compress, or you can buy an Eyebag from our Practice which you heat up in the microwave. Soak the flannel in hot, not boiling water, and place the flannels on the shut eyelids for five minutes, massaging gently with your hands. This will loosen the crusts, you can then use lid scrubs.
- Lid scrubs
Lid scrubs would be the initial treatment of the condition, it can be done as follows. Use a cotton bud moistened with cooled boiled water (from kettle) and baby shampoo (1 part to 4 part water) and gently apply the solution to the lashes. This procedure should be carried out daily to dissolve the oils causing the irritation. At Optika Opticians we advise a product called blephosol as a far more convenient and effective alternative.
- Lubricants
Using a comfort drop can help to lubricate the eye and make it feel more comfortable.