What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a very common inflammatory condition of the lid margin. It is caused by an abnormality of the glands at the base of the eyelash follicles. People with this condition experience any or all of the following symptoms:

• eye irritation: gritty, itching, burning, tired
• eye redness
• reflex watering of the eyes especially when reading or driving
• blurry vision
• chalazia (stye)
• corneal ulceration (rarely)

What can I do about my Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is very common, especially with increasing age. While the symptoms are frustrating, it is important to know that it is rarely damaging to the eye. Unfortunately the condition cannot be cured, and treatment is aimed at alleviating the various symptoms in order to improve comfort.

To relieve your symptoms you should:

1. Lubricate the eyes regularly. This soothes the burning sensation that is commonly experienced by sufferers and dilutes the toxic bacterial byproducts that accumulate in the tear film. Dr. Kert will give you a sample lubricant to take home. There are many lubricants on the market and it is a matter of trial and error to find one that suits you. Remember that the lubricant will only ease your symptoms for a short while. Lubricants will help with ocular irritation and with reflex watering too.
2. Cleaning the lid margin is the mainstay of treatment. You can do this with a cotton bud dipped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water. It helps to do this in front of the mirror at first, addressing both upper and lower lid on each side. You can make the solution yourself by mixing one cup of boiled water (that has cooled) with 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Leave the solution in the fridge to use for a few days at a time. You can also try Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and water, or buy LIDCARE from your  pharmacist if you prefer.It is important that you clean the eyelid margin thoroughly, aiming for the roots of the eyelashes. This removes excess debris, oil and bacteria from this area which helps to settle the condition down. It is better to clean your lid margins twice a day when your blepharitis has flared, and taper after that. Try to do it after a shower as the warm water helps the oily meibomian glands at the lid margin to discharge and enables a more thorough clean.
3. Occasionally Dr. Kert may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics if the condition is particularly difficult to get under control.

Remember that these measures will help alleviate your symptoms but will not cure the condition for you.

Contact Dr. Kert if these measures have failed to ease your condition or you have further questions.