What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that typically causes swelling, redness, and irritation at the roots of your eyelashes. This condition is particularly common among patients who already have dry eyes, rosacea, dandruff, or other conditions that irritate your skin.
Blepharitis can occur anteriorly or posteriorly. Anterior blepharitis causes symptoms in your outer eyelid at the roots of your lashes. Posterior blepharitis causes symptoms in your inner eyelids.
What are the symptoms of blepharitis?
Blepharitis typically causes symptoms like:
- Puffy eyelids
- Red eyelids
- Itchy eyes
- Increased sensitivity to bright light
- Flakes of skin on eyelids
- A feeling that something is in your eyes
Sometimes, blepharitis can also cause an oil gland infection of your eyelids, which may lead to a painful red eyelid bump called a stye.
What causes blepharitis?
Blepharitis is caused by bacteria. Although it is completely normal to have some bacteria on the surface of your skin, blepharitis sufferers have an excess of bacteria at the base of their eyelashes. This bacteria accumulates and causes swelling, skin flakes, and other blepharitis symptoms.
How can I relieve blepharitis symptoms?
If you are dealing with blepharitis symptoms, schedule a visit with your Simply Eyes doctor as soon as possible to get maximum symptom relief. Your eye doctor may prescribe one or more of the following treatments.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics clear up the infection in your eyelids. Usually, you will get an antibiotic ointment or drops to use daily, but your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics if you need them.
Eye drops
Prescription eye drops may help with symptoms like redness and dry eyes and also reduce the swelling faster. Other types of eye drops include artificial tears and corticosteroids.
Home treatments
Your eye doctor may recommend warm compresses for symptom relief. Be sure to use a fresh washcloth every time. Your eye doctor may also recommend an eyelid scrub to help remove skin flakes and relieve itching.
There is no reason to keep feeling awful due to blepharitis. Call Simply Eyes or click the online scheduler to get help now.
