Blepharitis
Suffering From Blepharitis?
When our eyelids become inflamed, the problem in most cases
is a chronic eye disease which is known as Blepharitis. Similar
in nature to the skin condition called eczema, in case of
Blepharitis, the eyelids become red, scaly and irritated.
Basically, there are two types of Blepharitis, which are
Seborrheic Blepharitis and Staph Blepharitis. The most prominent
symptom of either type is inflammation on and around the eyelids
which can be accompanied by irritation and painful itching.
In certain cases, tiny ulcers will develop along the eyelid
margins which are the areas that touch one another once the
eyelid closes.
Signs of Seborrheic Blepharitis
Individuals who suffer from Seborrheic Blepharitis tend to
also suffer from skin conditions which affect other parts
of the body such as the scalp, chest and back.
With Seborrheic Blepharitis, there is a problem with the
tear film which the body produces to help protect and lubricate
the eyes. It can be either a problem with the quality or the
quantity but anyway, the resulting tear film causes greasy
scales to form at the base of the eyelashes. These scales
will flake off easily and cause irritation. When inadequate
quantities of tear film are produced, typically because the
glands are blocked, the eye does not get lubricated properly
hence the dry spots cause the eyes to feel gritty.
Symptoms of Staph Blepharitis
Staph Blepharitis is in fact a childhood eye disease which
is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition usually
does not go away. Its symptoms include the development and
accumulation of crusty material at the base of the eyelashes.
The crust often affects a person's ability to open their eyes
after sleep. In some cases, after the crusty matter is removed,
tiny ulcers remain which start to bleed or otherwise ooze.
Sties can develop, as well as red eye, and the eyelashes can
become weak and break. If the infection is not treated properly,
over time, the cornea might be scarred.
Treatment
Similar to other eye disease, Blepharitis is usually diagnosed
during a routine eye exam. Since one of the main cause of
this condition is poor hygiene, the most effective treatment
for Blepharitis includes keeping the eyelid margin area super
clean. To prevent irritation from excessive cleaning, it is
often suggested that this area be cleaned with a shampoo that
is formulated for babies. A washcloth can also be used to
help remove the scaly deposits.
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