Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an ocular disease characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margins and glands. Blepharitis may cause redness, itching, and irritation of the eyes and eyelids. Its appearance is often confused with conjunctivitis and due to its recurring nature, as well as dry eye by patients due to the gritty sensation that may occur. However, lubricating drops do little to improve the condition.

Classification

There are two types of blepharitis:

Anterior blepharitis affects the anterior margin of the eyelid near the roots of the eyelashes. The causes are seborrheic dermatitis (similar to dandruff) and rarely infection. If the infection progresses, the sufferer may begin to notice a foreign body sensation, matting of the lashes, and burning. The condition can sometimes lead to a chalazion or a stye.

Posterior blepharitis or rosacea-associated blepharitis affects the posterior margin of the eyelids, the part that makes contact with the eyes. This is caused by the oil glands, and is by far the most common type of blepharitis. It is often found in people with a Rosacea skin type, where oil glands in the lid of rosacea sufferers secrete a modified oil which leads to inflammation at the gland openings which are found at the edge of the lid.

Treatment and Management

The single most important treatment principle is a daily routine of lid margin hygiene, as described below. Such a routine needs to be convenient enough to be continued lifelong to avoid relapses as blepharitis is often a chronic condition.

A typical lid margin hygiene routine consists of different steps depending on severity. Always ask you eye doctor to assess the severity of your blepharitis to find out which treatment plan would be best suited for you to get optimal relief from your symptoms:

Mild blepharitis:

Apply hot compresses to both eyes for 5 minutes twice per day.
Dietary supplements of Lifeguard Omega Eye capsules should be taken daily to provide the recommended intake necessary to relieve dry eye. The recommended dosage is 2 capsules twice a day.

Moderate blepharitis:

Apply hot compresses to both eyes for 5 minutes twice per day.
Dietary supplements of Lifeguard Omega Eye capsules should be taken daily to provide the recommended intake necessary to relieve dry eye. The recommended dosage is 2 capsules twice a day.
After hot compresses, in front of a mirror, use Ocusoft lid scrub foam with a moist washcloth. Rub along the lid margins while tilting the lid outward with the other hand.

Severe blepharitis:

Apply hot compresses to both eyes for 5 minutes twice per day.
Dietary supplements of Lifeguard Omega Eye capsules should be taken daily to provide the recommended intake necessary to relieve dry eye. The recommended dosage is 2 capsules twice a day.
After hot compresses, in front of a mirror, use Ocusoft lid scrub foam with a moist washcloth. Rub along the lid margins while tilting the lid outward with the other hand.
In front of mirror, place small drop of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment (e.g. Azasite) in lower conjunctival sac while pulling lid away from eye with other hand.

If acne rosacea coexists, treatment should be focused on this skin disorder as the underlying cause together with the above lid margin hygiene routine. Typically, 100 mg doxycycline by mouth twice per day is prescribed for four to six weeks. Patients are instructed to continue use for at least two months before symptoms improve significantly. Contrary to common belief, use of tetracycline-type antibiotics is not primarily to treat bacterial infection but rather resulting in thinning of oil gland secretions and change of the characteristic capillary pattern.

The previous information is based on a current review of the literature and it is updated on a regular basis. We tailor our treatment plan to each individual.