Blepharitis
Bacteria can be found on healthy skin. Some people, however, are not able to tolerate the presence of bacteria and experience adverse reactions.
The eyelids and eyelashes are conducive environments to bacteria. When conditions are right, they multiply and cause inflammation, such as blepharitis.
Stop eyelid inflammation from affecting your eyesight. At Focus Eye Care & Surgery, you get the best expert care for blepharitis treatment New York has available. Our board-certified eye specialist, Dr. Neelofar Ghaznawi, is an expert in treating inflammatory conditions of the lid and conjunctiva. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
What is blepharitis?
What are the complications of blepharitis?
Without treatment, blepharitis may cause:
- blurry vision
- sclera (white part of the eye) to look reddish
- eyelashes to fall out or grow in the wrong direction
- swelling of the cornea, or the clear, dome-shaped outer layer of the eye
- swelling of other parts of the eye
- stye/chalazion – a red, painful bump (stye) or a hard, painless lump (chalazion) may result from a clogged oil gland
- dry eye – the tear film that protects the cornea may dry up due to buildup of oil and flakes
What are the treatment options for blepharitis?
Blepharitis symptoms can be managed so they don’t interfere with your eyes’ normal functioning and daily activities. Some of the things that could help minimize the discomfort include:
- Hygiene
Keeping not only the eyelids and eyelashes but also the hair and skin clean is one way to keep symptoms under control.
Warm compresses over closed eyes help unclog the oil glands. Eyelid scrubs using lint-free pads also help loosen the flakes. Wash the cloth in a solution of baby shampoo diluted in warm water, wring slightly, and use it to gently scrub the affected area.
- Artificial tears/antibiotic eye drops
Dry eyes may be remedied by artificial tears, which also work well in tamping down redness and inflammation. If inflammation is caused by blocked oil glands, antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed to unclog them.
- Antibiotic ointments and medicines
The ointment is topically applied to the base of the eyelashes. To further control the inflammation, antibiotic medicines may need to be taken by mouth.