How to treat regular and special blepharitis

Featuring chronic inflammation of the eyelid, blepharitis is a relatively common ocular condition that varies greatly in severity among different patients. This ocular disorder usually develops chronically and lasts a long standing time. Today, blepharitis has been diagnosed in different types, such as seborrheic, staphylococcal, mixed or parasitic. In this article, we discuss anterior and posterior blepharitis that are the most common. Their symptoms and treatments will be introduced in detail.

Regular signs and symptoms of anterior and posterior blepharitis

Both anterior blepharitis and posterior blepharitis are forms of eyelid inflammation, particularly at the lid margins. These two types of blepharitis bring symptoms such as eye irritation, burning, tearing crusty debris, eye dryness and red eyelid margins. There are still more severe consequences: eyelash loss, ectropion, dilated and visible capillaries and potential cornea erosion. However, the two types affect different areas of eyelid and have different reasons. While the outside front of the eyelid is associated with anterior blepharitis, posterior blepharitis affects the inner eyelid. While anterior blepharitis is always caused by scalp dandruff and bacteria, posterior blepharitis results usually from skin disorders.

Compress applying and cleansing for blepharitis treatment

Blepharitis is likely to recur and tends to be chronic, so that its treatment requires more patience and skills. The most common treatments include compress applying, cleansing, eyelids massaging etc. Before cleansing the affected eyelids, it is necessary to use warm compress to loosen and warm up the eyes’ crusts. This process typically takes five minutes every time and four times every day. It is ok to just dampen a clean washcloth with warm water and put it on the closed eyes. After warming up the eyes with compress, it is the time to cleanse the eyelids with cool washcloth and cotton swab. Remember to repeat the whole process several times each day.

Treatments for special blepharitis cases and related complications

While administration of warm compress and eyelid cleansing are enough for regular cases of blepharitis, there are some patients who need special treatment. Blepharitis exists in different forms and even develops some variations. In some cases, there are bothersome complications. In fact, there are other treatments for related blepharitis patients, e.g. antibiotic treatment for special blepharitis, eyelid massaging for gland dysfunction and flaxseed oil supplements for meibomian seborrheic blepharitis. Furthermore, if dry eye is aroused by blepharitis, eye drops, artificial tears, lubricating ointments, silicone punctual plugs, and steroids can offer effective help under the doctor’s instruction.

Other concerns of blepharitis patients

Blepharitis also affects people’s selection of contact lenses. Under particular circumstances, some blepharitis patients will be advised to stop wearing contact lenses for a certain period. Even if they are allowed to use contacts, RGP ones are strongly recommended, because they are more resistant to deposits. Makeup can never be applied to blepharitis eyelids, whilst sometimes anti-dandruff shampoo is needed for scalp and eyebrows.