What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a very common condition that involves inflammation of the eyelid margins , where the eyelashes originate. There are different types of blepharitis, but they all generally present with similar symptoms.
Patients with blepharitis often complain of burning, itching, red eyes, frequent styes and chalazia, and morning discharge.
What symptoms do people with blepharitis have?
The symptoms of blepharitis are due to bacterial overgrowth and/or dysfunction in the Meibomian glands of the eyelids , which are essential in the formation of the tear film.
Blepharitis is considered a chronic condition , so there is no quick and easy cure. However, proper treatment can effectively control it and provide significant relief from the patient’s symptoms.
If there is an underlying cause, such as acne rosacea, treatment will be directed at the causal process.
FAQS de Blefaritis
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There are different lines of treatment for blepharitis:
Eyelid hygiene, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointments, and oral treatments.
Daily eyelid hygiene has proven to be the best treatment for the vast majority of patients with blepharitis.
Ideally, it should be done twice a day (morning and night), especially at the level of the eyelash roots.
There are numerous commercial preparations consisting of wipes specifically designed for the treatment of blepharitis.
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These wipes are made with a mild soap specially designed for this condition. An alternative to these products is to use baby soap diluted by half with water on a soft cloth. Daily eyelid hygiene, performed daily, can provide effective and long-lasting control of blepharitis symptoms in the medium term.
Eyelid hygiene is also performed today in the ophthalmologist’s office. Using devices like the BlephEx , the eyelid margins can be cleaned very effectively, unclogging blocked meibomian glands and resulting in immediate symptomatic improvement for the patient.
Sometimes the application of antibiotic ointments (with or without cortisone) for short periods of time is indicated if bacterial overgrowth is considered to exist.
Treatment with oral doxycycline (an antibiotic) can be very effective for certain types of blepharitis, not because of its antibiotic properties, but because of its meibomian gland-modulating properties.
Nutritional supplements containing antioxidants, vitamins, and essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are increasingly gaining ground in the treatment of blepharitis, as they can improve the functioning of the meibomian glands.
Occasionally, a blockage of the meibonian glands produces a lump on the eyelid known as a chalazion. Below, we explain its causes and treatments.
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A chalazion is a nodule that forms on the eyelids due to obstruction of the ducts of the sebaceous glands ( meibomian glands ) found on the eyelid margin.
When the duct of one of these glands becomes blocked, fatty secretions accumulate and the body reacts with an inflammatory process surrounding the gland.
The main symptom of a chalazion is the presence of a lump on the eyelid. It may be painful initially and cause widespread swelling of the entire eyelid.
The most common age of onset is adolescence, due to the hormonal changes that occur at this stage. Pregnancy can also lead to the appearance of chalazia. Other risk factors include:
- Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids).
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
- Acne rosacea.
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Approximately 25% of chalazion cases resolve without treatment. However, chalazion often becomes chronic and requires some form of treatment.
- Treatment in the acute phase : Local heat (e.g., warm packs) applied several times a day can help unclog the gland’s duct. In this phase, applying antibiotic and corticosteroid ointments once or twice a day is also recommended to reduce inflammation.
- Treatment in the chronic phase : When a chalazion does not resolve with the above measures, a local corticosteroid injection is recommended. This can be easily performed in the office without the need for anesthesia. Corticosteroid injected directly into the chalazion is very effective and resolves the vast majority of them. When a chalazion is resistant to this last treatment, the following condition remains: surgical treatment. With local anesthesia.
