Hundreds of thousands of patients suffer from a condition known as blepharitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, particularly at the lid margins. Symptoms may include red, irritated eyes, foreign body sensation, eye dryness, burning, tearing, and crusty debris along the eyelashes and in the corners of the eye. This debris is often small flakes of dandruff that can build along the eyelash line. Over time, the debris can clog the meibomian glands which are located along the lash line and on the inner surface of the eyelid. These glands produce a component of our natural tears (the lipid, oily component) that help make up our tear film which keeps our eyes moist and comfortable.

If the meibomian glands become caked or clogged, symptoms may worsen and a chalazion may form. A chalazion is an inflamed, painful, usually raised lesion or series of lesions, which can resemble pimples near the eyelid margin or on the inner side of the eyelid. Chalazia are tender to the touch and can rub against the eye.

There is no cure for blepharitis but you can help relieve the symptoms and prevent chalazia (and styes) from developing by following a daily hygiene regimen prescribed by an ophthalmologist. This regimen may include warm compresses which will soften the oily build-up of the meibomian glands and allow them to drain. After the glands have been properly soaked you may need to scrub the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes using your fingertips or Q-tips and an eyelid scrub solution available over the counter. Individually wrapped eyelid scrub pads are also available over the counter. Water mixed with Johnson’s baby shampoo may be used instead of an eyelid scrub solution. Patients who have dry eyes related to blepharitis may also benefit from adding frequent use of artificial tear drops.

Other regimens to alleviate blepharitis may be recommended such as oral or topical medicines.
The type and frequency of the treatment for blepharitis is individualized and not all patients will be prescribed the same regimen. Blepharitis can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur. If you think you may have blepharitis it is important to see an ophthalmologist and get treatment. If your blepharitis is bacterial, possible long-term effects are thickened lid margins, dilated and visible capillaries, eyelash loss, TRICHIASIS, ECTROPION, and ENTROPION.
When choosing a surgeon to diagnose and treat or manage blepharitis, look for a board certified ophthalmic plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon who specializes in the eyelids, orbit, and tear drain system. It’s also important that he or she has completed an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship. This indicates your surgeon is not only a board certified ophthalmologist who knows the anatomy and structure of the eyelids and orbit, but also has had extensive training in ophthalmic plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.  Dr. Shorr is Director of the Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine. He and his associates are board certified ophthalmologists as well as ophthalmic plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons who have completed an ASOPRS fellowship.

If you think you may have blepharitis, we invite you to call today to schedule an ophthalmic evaluation.

Visit our cosmetic surgery and reconstructive facial plastic surgery office located in Beverly Hills, near the Los Angeles area.

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