What Your Eye Doctor Wants You To Know About Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common eye disease that causes problems with your eyelids. The key symptoms most people experience are swelling, redness, and itching around the base of the eyelashes. However, some folks with blepharitis also deal with crusting and flakes.

This eye condition is no fun, and getting quick relief is necessary to avoid its uncomfortable symptoms. Below, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about blepharitis, including its causes and how to seek treatment.

What Are the Causes of Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria at the base of your eyelashes. Although a bacterial infection can cause this issue, oily skin and poor eyelid hygiene can also be key players in its development.

In addition, people with very dry skin, oily skin, or rosacea are at a higher risk of developing blepharitis. What’s more, if you have dandruff, you might notice itchy flakes forming on the edge of your eyelids during colder, drier parts of the year, which can also lead to the development of blepharitis.

What Are the Types of Blepharitis?

There are two main types of blepharitis: anterior and posterior. Here’s what you need to know about both:

Anterior Blepharitis

Anterior blepharitis shows up on the outer edges of the eyelids, right at the base of your eyelashes. Staphylococcus bacteria usually cause this form of blepharitis, but it can also develop due to a skin condition like seborrheic dermatitis.

Additionally, allergic reactions to products like makeup or contact solution can sometimes bring on anterior blepharitis.

The main symptoms of anterior blepharitis are red, itchy eyelids, crusty eyelashes, and light sensitivity.

Posterior Blepharitis

On the other hand, posterior blepharitis affects the inner edges of the eyelids and can cause swelling in the outermost parts of the eyes, especially the cornea.

Symptoms of posterior blepharitis are very different than anterior blepharitis; this condition can cause blurred vision, a gritty feeling in the eyes, and excessive itchiness.

Other Subtypes of Blepharitis

Sometimes, people experience mixed blepharitis, a combination of anterior and posterior symptoms. This type of blepharitis can be harder for an eye doctor to treat andvery uncomfortable to deal with.

In addition, people with skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff sometimes develop seborrheic blepharitis, which is caused by a buildup of dry, flaky skin around the eyelids. People with either very dry or oily skin are the most likely to deal with this blepharitis subtype.

Tiny organisms called Demodex mites can cause a unique subtype of blepharitis called Demodex blepharitis. Treating this form starts with working with an ophthalmology expert to find a regimen that kills the mites and keeps them from returning to live in your eyelashes.

Can Blepharitis Put You at Risk for Other Conditions?

You already know that blepharitis is annoying and uncomfortable, but it also has more serious risks. Without treatment, blepharitis can lead to the development of other ocular conditions, including styes, chalazion, and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

A stye is a painful bump that forms inside the eyelid. It’s caused by a clogged oil gland, which usually stems from inflammation of the eyelids and less-than-ideal eye hygiene. If your irritation is due to a chronic condition, you’re more likely to deal with styes, which can be seriously unpleasant. Treatments like warm compresses and eye drops can help you get some relief.

Additionally, blepharitis can make you more prone to chalazion, which is hard lumps that can swell your eyelids. Styes sometimes turn into chalazion over time, which is especially common when blepharitis goes untreated.

If you spot a stye, chalazion, or any other lump on your eye, book an eye exam and get recommendations from your eye doctor for treatment.

What To Do if You Have Blepharitis

Eye doctors recommend cleaning your eyelids thoroughly multiple times daily to treat blepharitis. A gentle clean can remove the crusty flakes that worsen the condition, and it’s also a great way to achieve quick relief from itching and burning.

Follow these steps to keep your eyelids clean while recovering from blepharitis:

Wash Your Eyelids

Blepharitis tends to develop or get worse because of poor eye hygiene. If you don’t wash the area around your eyes regularly, oil and dead skin can build up and cause irritation, flaking, and other nasty symptoms. The best way to stop this vicious cycle is to wash your eyelids at least once daily.

When you’re cleaning this area, don't scrub. Instead, rub a gentle cleanser (or a tear-free product like baby shampoo) on your closed eyelids using a soft washcloth without too much pressure. The goal is to work the cleansing product into your eyelids and exfoliate the dead skin hanging around without causing further irritation.

One method that eye doctors sometimes recommend is a mixture of baby shampoo and warm water. Diluting the shampoo with water gives you an even gentler cleanser that won’t irritate your eyes or hamper your recovery. You can use this simple combination of ingredients a few times a day to gently slough off oil and skin flakes.

Use Eye Drops

Your eye doctor might recommend using specialized eyedrops to relieve uncomfortable symptoms like dry eyes, itchiness, and swelling. While an ophthalmologist might prescribe eyedrops, they’re just as likely to recommend something you can get over the counter, like artificial tears.

Other Medicines for Blepharitis

Eye doctors sometimes prescribe more heavy-duty treatments for severe cases of blepharitis. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for this eye condition are antibiotic ointments, steroids, and oral antibiotics.

How To Self-Care When You Have Blepharitis

Blepharitis is no fun. It’s uncomfortable and can seriously mess with your confidence. Investing time and energy into your eye health is the best way to make a quick and long-lasting recovery.

Here are some tips for finding quick relief from blepharitis symptoms — and habits to avoid that might worsen your symptoms.

Take a Break From Eye Makeup

While your eye makeup routine might be a key part of your signature look, it’s worth it to skip the mascara and eyeliner until symptoms of blepharitis go away. If your eyes are already red, raw, and irritated, eye makeup won’t do you any favors.

In fact, it might further irritate your eyelid margins, leading to a longer recovery time.

In addition, blepharitis sometimes develops as a reaction to an ingredient in eye makeup. If you’ve dealt with issues like swelling and redness on the edges of the eyelids after wearing a certain type of makeup, stop using the offending product immediately and talk to your healthcare provider about allergy testing.

Wear Glasses Instead of Contacts

Like makeup, contact lenses might irritate your eyes even more when dealing with blepharitis. In addition, blepharitis sometimes develops because of a reaction to contact solution. If you’re unsure how you got blepharitis, it’s worth considering the possibility that your eyes don’t agree with your contacts and the products you use with them.

Stick to a consistent cleaning routine once you return to wearing contacts after your blepharitis heals. Bacteria can grow in your contact case and on the lenses themselves when you don’t use plenty of solution or forget to swap out your case monthly.

Keep your hands clean whenever you put in or remove your contacts to avoid transferring nasty bacteria from your hand to your eye.

Know When To See a Doctor

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether you’re dealing with blepharitis or another eye condition like pink eye (aka conjunctivitis). If you need help pinpointing your symptoms and finding a treatment that works for you, it’s the right time to visit your eye doctor or healthcare provider. They can help you make a treatment plan and verify that you have blepharitis and not something else.

Healthy Eyes Are Happy Eyes

If there’s one big takeaway from this article on blepharitis, it’s that eye care equals self-care. When you keep your eyes clean and healthy, you’re protecting yourself from irritating and uncomfortable symptoms —along with potentially risky infections.

If you experience blepharitis symptoms often and can’t find relief, contact a local eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis and a helpful treatment plan. You won’t regret taking the time to get to the root cause of the issue for the sake of healthier eyes.

Sources:

Blepharitis | National Eye Institute

Types of Blepharitis | EyeWiki by the American Academy of Opthalmology

Allergy Testing: Purpose, Types, Indications & Results | Cleveland Clinic

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) | CDC