Blepharitis
Blepharitis refers to a common and often persistent inflammatory condition of the eyelids. The nature of this condition may cause a variety of symptoms that may range from mild discomfort to more severe manifestations that could potentially alter the eyelid structure.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms associated with blepharitis include a sensation of grittiness or a foreign body in the eye. Eyelid discomfort is also frequently reported and could present as soreness or itchiness. In more severe instances, changes in eyelid and eyelash structure might occur, leading to complications like trichiasis, where the eyelashes grow inward.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Blepharitis is often linked with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which are characterized by skin dryness and inflammation. Additionally, the presence of styes, which are painful, small abscesses on the eyelid, is more frequent in individuals suffering from blepharitis.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
The chronic inflammation seen in blepharitis can result from several factors, including bacterial eyelid infection, meibomian gland dysfunction (which leads to oil imbalance in the tear film), or allergies.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
While blepharitis does not have a definitive cure, several strategies can be employed to manage the symptoms and prevent complications:
- Eyelid hygiene: Regular cleaning of the eyelids can help reduce the buildup of crusts and scales. This can be achieved through warm compresses and gentle scrubbing of the eyelids with baby shampoo or special lid-cleansing products.
- Infection control: Topical antibiotic ointments or drops can be applied to the eyelid margin to mitigate secondary infections.
- Tear substitutes: The use of artificial tears can help alleviate symptoms, particularly in individuals who also suffer from dry eye syndrome due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
Education on maintaining eyelid hygiene and regular follow-up care are crucial components of managing this condition. In cases where blepharitis is associated with skin conditions, managing the underlying condition is also necessary.
References[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Blepharitis Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
