Blepharitis Treatment

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, which usually affects both eyes. This condition occurs when the oil glands near the eyelashes become clogged, which causes redness and irritation. This is a chronic condition, but fortunately, our team at Atlantic EyeCare in Virginia Beach can treat the symptoms.

What Are the Causes of Blepharitis?

Some issues can cause this condition.

Dandruff of the eyebrows or scalp
Clogged oil glands of the eyelids
Infections
Rosacea, which is a condition characterized by redness of the face.
An allergic reaction to makeup, contact lens solution, or eye medication
Eyelash lice or mites
Dry eye syndrome

The Symptoms of Blepharitis

The symptoms of blepharitis are often worse in the morning and they can make your eyes very uncomfortable. The symptoms include:

Watery eyes
Red eyes
A gritting feeling in the eyes
Stinging or burning in the eyes
Itchy eyelids
Eyelid inflammation
Red eyelids
Flaking of the skin around the eyes
Crusty eyelashes
Sticking eyelashes
Frequent blinking
Blurry vision
Sensitivity to light

Diagnosing Blepharitis

This condition can be diagnosed by our eye doctor. We will examine your eyes using a light and a magnifying instrument to get a good look at your eyelids. We will also use a swab to collect a sample of the oil or crust leaking from your eyes. We will analyze the sample to check for fungi, bacteria, or allergies.

Treating Blepharitis

Our eye doctor will suggest self-care measures, including washing your eyes regularly and warm wash compresses. If the self-care methods are not effective, we will use one of the following treatment options.

Medication to fight the infection: If our eye doctor finds that a bacterial infection is causing the condition, we will prescribe antibiotics. These medications come in the form of eye drops, creams, and ointments. If topical antibiotics are not effective, we will prescribe an oral medication.
Medication to control the inflammation: If you are not responding to antibiotics, our optometrist will prescribe steroids. We may also prescribe steroids in conjunction with the antibiotics.
Restasis: Restasis is a medication that can help relieve many of the symptoms of this condition.
Treating the underlying condition: If your case of blepharitis is due to an underlying medical condition such as Rosacea or dry eye syndrome, treating the condition will help with the blepharitis symptoms.