BLEPHARITIS
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margin that causes redness, irritation, itching, and crusting of the eyelashes. It can be caused by bacterial infections or associated with conditions such as rosacea. Although it can affect people of all ages, blepharitis is more common in older people.
The eyelid margin contains small glands that produce oil, which is essential for the quality of tears. This oil prevents tears from evaporating too quickly on the surface of the eye.
In blepharitis, the oil in the glands becomes thick and viscous, which leads to blockage and inflammation of the eyelid margin. This causes the tears to not contain enough oil, which reduces their quality and accelerates evaporation. This leads to a feeling of dry eyes.
Treatment of blepharitis
Treatment of blepharitis mainly involves good eyelid hygiene. It is recommended to clean the eyelids regularly and to avoid the use of make-up.
In case of a bacterial infection, an antibiotic ointment may be prescribed. If there is dry eye, your ophthalmologist may recommend artificial tears.
Steps to treat blepharitis:
- Apply warm compresses: Use a compress that is as warm as possible and place it on the closed eyelids for 10 minutes. You can also use heatable masks that can be heated in the microwave. This step helps to soften the crusts and make the oily secretions in the glands more fluid.
- Gently massage the eyelids: After applying the compress, gently massage the upper and lower eyelids in small circles close to the eyelashes. Massage from top to bottom for the upper eyelids and from bottom to top for the lower eyelids.
- Rinse with physiological saline: Rinse eyes with physiological saline to remove impurities and relieve irritation.
- Clean the eyelid margins: Use a special cleaning cloth or ointment to clean the eyelid margins and complete the treatment.
These steps will help maintain good eyelid hygiene and improve blepharitis symptoms.