Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It is a persistent condition with no one-off cure. However, symptoms can usually be reduced and managed with a variety of treatments. Once the symptoms have eased, they can be kept at a minimum with a simple eyelid hygiene regime.

Blepharitis does not generally affect eyesight.

Symptoms of Blepharitis

• The main symptom is sore eyelids
• The eyelids may look inflamed and stick together in the morning
• Tiny flakes that look like dandruff may appear on the eyelids and the lid margins may develop crusts at the base of the eyelashes

Treatments

If you are experiencing symptoms of blepharitis, book an appointment to consult the optician. A variety of treatments is available, depending on the severity of the condition. This includes:

Guidance on regular eyelid hygiene which involves clearing stagnant secretions and cleaning the lid margins of debris.

The routine involves applying heat/warmth to the eyelids, massaging them gently and cleaning the debris away.

Your optician will guide you on the best treatment regime to apply.

For further details, please see the NHS factsheet on blepharitis below

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blepharitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx