What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis Sounds Like the Name of Some Rare Eye Infection, Doesn't it?
It's a long, scary, difficult name to pronounce. I bet you're hoping that I'm going to tell you how to prevent it, right? Well, chances are that you already have it. To tell the truth, 70% of my patients have the condition. Unfortunately, most don't even know it, because symptoms don't surface until the later stages.
Now, don't get too concerned, because this is not the type of infection that you can catch from other people like pink eye. It's a common condition that can develop, like arthritis and acne rosacea, and at times, can be fairly easy to treat and control.
So, What is Blepharitis?
It's a lid margin disease. Everyone has these little glands along their eyelid margins called meibomian glands. These glands secrete an oil that mixes with the tears to keep it from evaporating. Sometimes, especially in older individuals and contact lens wearers, these glands tend to secrete less oil as the oil hardens in the gland.
Less oil causes tears to evaporate faster, leading to dry eyes. The hardened oil traps bacteria that are normally found in these glands, causing symptoms of burning, redness, irritation, swelling, dryness, and blurry vision, especially at night.
What Can You Do for Blepharitis?
A consultation with your local eye doctor can help pinpoint the problem and its severity. At this point, the doctor can recommend the proper course for treatment. For mild cases, treatment may be as simple as hot compresses, lid hygiene, and artificial tears for dryness.
For more severe cases, antibiotics might be necessary, as well as oral anti-inflammatories, like Omega-3s, and prescription anti-inflammatory drops. For more information, contact your local eye care professional.
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