Blepharitis Specialist

What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition in which the eyelid becomes inflamed, typically around the area where your eyelashes and eyelid meet.

This disease can occur in people of all ages, though it’s most common in adults. It’s not contagious and can be treated.

What causes blepharitis?

Many factors contribute to this condition, including:

• Bacteria that naturally reside on the skin
• Clogged oil glands in the eyelids
• Allergies
• Rosacea

A common misperception about blepharitis is that it only occurs in people with poor hygiene. That’s not true. Blepharitis can occur in anyone and is not a result of poor hygiene practices.

Fortunately, though it can be painful, it doesn’t tend to cause permanent damage to your eyesight.

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

Some of the more common symptoms are red, irritated eyelids that tend to itch.  Other symptoms include:

• Swollen eyelids
• Eyelashes that grow in odd directions
• Watery eyes

Blepharitis can also cause other conditions, such as styes, which is an infection of the oil glands that line the eyelids. It can also cause a chalazion, which is a localized area of chronic inflammation.

How is blepharitis diagnosed?

Your eye care provider at Hecker Eye Care Associates can diagnose blepharitis with a simple examination. Using a slit lamp microscope, they examine the eyelids closely to evaluate for these findings.

How is blepharitis treated?

When it comes to treatment, your provider looks at the underlying cause of your blepharitis. Though there’s no cure for the disease, it can be treated and managed by understanding the cause of acute flare-ups.  

For an acute flare-up, they may prescribe a short course of steroid eye drops/ointments to help relieve the itching, inflammation, and irritation you’re experiencing.

To help prevent flare-ups, it’s a good idea to keep your eyelids clean. This involves cleaning your eyelids thoroughly with diluted baby shampoo or medicated eyelid wipes, even when not experiencing symptoms. Using warm compresses daily is another preventive measure. Ask the team for ideas of things you can do to help prevent flare-ups on your own.

Make an appointment with the team at Hecker Eye Care Associates today. You can schedule your appointment online or by calling the office.