WHAT IS BLEPHARITIS?Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margin. It's often accompanied by itching, irritation, and sometimes a red eye. It's almost always a chronic problem and can develop in early childhood or even later in life.WHAT CAUSES BLEPHARITIS?Excessive oil production from the sebaceous glands in the eyelids sticks to the eyelashes and becomes acidic. This irritates and inflames the eyelid margins.
In many cases, this condition is accompanied by seborrheic eczema. This is a form of eczema in which the skin can be very oily or dry and flaky. Sometimes both symptoms occur alternately.
When bacteria, which normally do not cause any abnormalities, gain control, they can cause inflammation.SYMPTOMS OF BLEPHARITISSymptoms include a stinging, burning sensation and painful, red eyelids. Complications can arise, with the eye itself becoming infected. Corneal damage due to ulceration sometimes occurs.TREATMENT OF BLEPHARITISIt is necessary to regularly clean the eyelashes of both eyelids using cotton swabs. This is recommended twice a day. First, brush the eyelashes with a cotton swab moistened with tap water to soak them, then remove the crusts and scales with a dry swab.
In more severe cases, eye ointment should be applied after cleaning the eyelashes. It is advisable to continue cleaning the eyelids daily, even during the more mild phases of the condition, to prevent lipid accumulation as much as possible. |
