BLEPHARITIS

WHAT IS IT?
Blepharitis is a disorder of the border of the eyelid, the area from which the eyelashes grow. This is a common problem due to overgrowth of normal skin bacteria or it may be due to staphylococcus and insufficient lid hygiene. It is aggravated, not caused, by allergies and dust exposure.

SYMPTOMS
In the most common form of blepharitis the lids are red and somewhat swollen and scales form at the base of the lashes. As the scales become coarser, they form crusts which may cause the lids to stick in the morning.

If not treated, the condition can become worse and spread to other areas of the eye, causing a more serious condition. Bacteria can infect the margin and tiny, crusty ulcers may form, which in time can cause loss of the eyelashes or cause lashes to rub against the eye.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? Blepharitis is a stubborn problem. Controlling it will depend on the severity and duration of your condition and how well you follow and continue your physician's instructions regarding lid hygiene. Keeping the affected area clean and good lid hygiene are very important in keeping blepharitis under control. Even mild cases can be difficult to cure permanently. The problem tends to come back when you stop treatment.

Keep your hands and face clean. Shampoo thoroughly. If you have dandruff, use a shampoo especially made to combat it. Women should stop the use of eye cosmetics during the first 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. After 6 to 8 weeks, it is permissible to resume use of makeup; however, it must be thoroughly removed each night at bedtime.

CLEANSING THE LIDS
Cleansing the lids is like brushing your teeth, you have to do it conscientiously every day. The eyelids should be cleansed regularly, usually in the morning and at bedtime. When you apply medication, any crusts or scales on the lids should be removed to allow the best contact of the medication with the affected area. The crusty material can be softened with a clean, warm, moist wash cloth and then removed by firm, slow scrubbing of the crusts and scales from the edge of the lids with a clean wet paper towel stroking from in to out firmly. Removing crusts may be somewhat uncomfortable at first, but it is important that you continue your instructions to obtain the best result.

  • In the morning, wash lashes with a paper towel soaked in warm water. Scrub with firm slow strokes 5 or 6 times from the inside to the outside of the closed eyelid margin. Do not squeeze the lids tight because the lashes will not be cleaned unless you scrub right on the roots.
  • At bedtime, remove all eye makeup meticulously. Baby oil or Vaseline on a Q-tip can be used. Repeat until the last Q-tip shows no makeup.
  • During the initial 6-8 weeks of treatment at bedtime, use Eye Scrub Eyelid Cleansing System. Please follow instructions, which come with the Eye Scrub. This method can be used indefinitely.
  • After the 6-8 week initial treatment or if you do not wish to purchase Eye Scrub, you may use a wet paper towel and a drop of diluted Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo (1/4 shampoo with 3/4 water) to scrub the roots of your lashes at bedtime. Rinse with warm water and remove all of the shampoo. After the first 6 to 8 weeks, the bedtime scrub is the same as the morning scrub.

YOUR MEDICATION SCHEDULE - OINTMENT

In some cases use of ointments will be recommended. Apply a large amount of ointment to the end of the index finger, close the eye and RUB the ointment into the roots of the lashes at bedtime after cleaning.

  • Hypotears ointment (no prescription needed).
  • Erythromycin ointment (prescription needed).

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
(707) 823-7628 or  
(707) 579-2020
(800) 848-3911 toll free
or click here to email.

eye-associates
OPHTHALMOLOGY EYE CONDITIONS SURGERY CENTER OPTICAL CENTER DERMATOLOGY COSMETIC CARE
OUR PRACTICE DOCTORS & STAFF FAQS & INSURANCE EYE VITAMINS DIRECTIONS CONTACT US