About 40-50% of the adult population have had an eyelid inflammation (or blepharitis) at some point in their life.

 

There are 2 types of eyelid inflammation with different causes:

• Anterior blepharitis: the front part of the rim of the eyelid is inflamed and is red and irritated.
• Posterior blepharitis: an inflammation of the oil glands in the inner eyelid, known as the Meibomian glands. The oil gland becomes congested but the oil production in the gland continues, causing the gland to become clogged and irritated. Often this is not visible on the outside of the eyelid. You will suffer from dry eyes, irritation and/or a burning sensation. Less oil is added to the tear film and less tear liquid is produced.

 

The following symptoms may be from a blepharitis:

 

Itchiness, irritation, sense of dry eyes, flakes or crusts at the base of the eye lashes, red eyes, infected eyes, a burning sensation, damaged cornea.

 

The symptoms often persist for a long time and can, at times, get worse.

 

A blepharitis is not caused by a lack of hygiene. Usually you have a certain proneness for getting this inflammation. It can be more common in patients with skin conditions such as eczema. A bacterium, parasite or a mite can also cause this inflammation.

The aim of the treatment is to make the glands in the eyelids to work as good as possible. Blepharitis is a chronic condition that will never completely disappear, therefore you need to continue to treat your eyes at least twice a week after the symptoms have reduced.

 

You can do this by putting a warm eye compress or a warm, clean washcloth on your closed eyes. The warm water ensures that the oil in the glands and the scabs, flakes or crusts between the lashes become softer. It takes at least 10 minutes for the oil to soften. After 2-3 minutes you put the compress or washcloth in warm water again, then back on your eyes, and repeat this several (3-4) times. Diluted babyshampoo may be added to the warm water.

 

Then wring out the washcloth and rub it over the edges where the eyelashes are (not the skin of the eyelids). Do this twice a day for the first week, then daily or at least 3 times a week.

 

If your doctor prescibes a cream, apply it to the eyelid edges after soaking and massaging the eyelid edges.

 

For any further questions you may contact us.