Blepharitis - Medtick
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Blepharitis

What is it?

A long term condition where one’s eyelids become hot, red and swollen (inflamed) and is not contagious.

  • Anterior: inflammation of the base of the eyelashes (skin and lash), causation can be seborrheic, bacterial (staphylococcal) or demodex (face mites);
  • Posterior: meibomian gland dysfunction and or obstruction (may result in chalazion);
  • Mixed: elements of anterior and posterior are present

Blepharitis. BMJ Best Practice. November 2024. Accessed February 2025. https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/574

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Lin A, Ahmad S, Amescua G, et al. Blepharitis Preferred Practice Pattern®. Ophthalmology. 2024;131(4):P50-P86. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.12.036

Cause

  • Bacterial infection (can affect any sex, however tends to occur more in females) due to:
    • Hormonal changes
    • Eye makeup use
  • Seborrheic dermatitis (itchy rash on the skin like dandruff)
  • Rosacea (red and blotchy skin)
  • NGLY1 deficiency

Syndromes

Medication

  • Contraceptive
  • HRT
  • Oestrogens supplements

Symptoms

(Tends to be worse at morning)

  • Both eyes affected?
  • Burning soreness or stinging in eyes?
  • Sensitivity to light?
  • Crusty eyelashes?
  • Grit in eyes?
  • Itchy eyes?
  • Loss of vision?
  • Abnormal eyelash growth?
  • Loss of eyelashes?
  • Sticky discharge causing the eyes to stick together?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

Hygiene measures for the management of blepharitis

  • Eye-lid cleansing with a clot or cotton bud soaked in a cleanser (solution of sodium bicarbonate or manufactured lid cleansing product) softly moved across the lid margins, twice a day and then daily once symptoms improve;
  • Warm compresses (40°C) for five minutes twice daily followed by lid massage assist in mobilising meibum;
  • Dry eye may be treated with topical lubricants and any underlying condition, such as eczema or rosacea, should be treated as per standard treatment pathways;
  • Patients should avoid eye makeup application on the lid margin especially eye-liner and mascara.

Blepharitis. BMJ Best Practice. November 2024. Accessed February 2025. https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/574

Blepharitis. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2023. Accessed February 2025. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blepharitis

Blepharitis (lid margin disease) . The College of Optometrists. 2024. Accessed February 2025. https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/blepharitis_lidmargindisease

  • Baby shampoo maybe considered for short term use (i.e. up to one month) and one needs to see it does help or not, if not consider the treatments above.

Eye test and Driving Authority

Persons over 40 years should have eye test at least every 2 years. and you must tell your drivers authority if it affects your driving.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please see your Optometrist

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Blepharitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

References

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, February 2025, Vol 314, No 7994;314(7994)::DOI:10.1211/PJ.2025.1.346170

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