Blepharitis: Causes, Tests and Treatments
John Hewitt, MA
Mohamed Awad MD (Ed.)
Smashwords Edition
****
Copyright 2011 John Hewitt, MA Mohamed Awad MD.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Contents
Two: Why do you get blepharitis?
Three: Common symptoms and signs
Four: Preparation before going to the eye specialist
Appendix A: Internet Resources / Further Reading
Appendix B: Complete Directory of Holistic Physicians Listed By State
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. The word ‘blepharitis’ comes from two Greek words: blepharos which means ‘eyelid’ and ‘itis’ which typically means inflammation. It can cause irritation, itching and redness on the eyelids, at the part where eyelashes grow. Blepharitis can happen due to a number of reasons such as a bacterial or a skin infection.
The infection affects the tiny oil glands near the base of the eyelashes. The oil glands malfunction and result in red, inflamed eyelids. This happens because the oil glands start producing more or less than the normal amount of oil they produce. They may also start producing the wrong type of oil. It can also cause the formation of dandruff-like scales which are seen on the eyelashes.
Blepharitis can also be caused by a number of other reasons such as skin allergies, skin cancer, or allergy to environmental conditions such as high pollen count. Skin allergies such as allergy to eye make-up can cause this condition. Some people are not aware of such allergies the first time they wear eye make-up and using mascara can lead them to acquiring this condition. Blepharitis is also caused by different health-related issues. For example, a person may have an internal health problem such as some form of cancer and blepharitis may be a sign of this health issue. In such a case, the doctor needs to know the details of the patient’s medical history to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying condition.
There are no age limits for this condition and people suffer from blepharitis at all ages. Some researchers say that up to 15 percent of the population may be a victim of blepharitis. Blepharitis is a chronic condition which means that it can last for a long duration. Although it makes a person feel quite uncomfortable and annoyed, it doesn’t harm the eyes or the eyesight permanently. It is not contagious either so it doesn’t transmit from one person to another. But this condition may recur even after a person treats it and gets rid of it.
There are usually two types of blepharitis. These are given below:
Anterior blepharitis: This is the type of blepharitis in which itching and inflammation occur at the outer edge of the point where eyelashes are attached to the eye. This type of blepharitis is often caused by bacteria (staphylococcal blepharits), or a case of dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows (seborrheic blepharitis). If it is caused by dandruff and no steps are taken to control dandruff in the scalp, the symptoms may get worse. A simple way to control dandruff is to use a good anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp regularly.
Posterior blepharitis: In this type of blepharitis, the inner point of the eyelashes -- the point that also comes in contact with eyeball -- suffers from itching and inflammation.
Often, a person suffers from a case of blepharitis which is a mixture of both types mentioned above.
Clinically, blepharitis is divided into three prominent forms. These include:
Staphylococcal blepharitis:
In staphylococcal blepharitis, the patients suffer from scaling of the skin around the eye lashes. This can result in the loss, or misdirection of the eyelashes as well as the deposit of dandruff flakes on the lashes. The patient may also suffer from crusting every time he wakes up. Patients with this form of blepharitis are often young and have a history of malfunctioning of glands in eyelids.
Seborrheic blepharitis:
In seborrheic blepharitis, the patients may suffer from greasy scales around the base of eye lashes and mild redness of the eye lids. Patients who suffer from this form of blepharitis are often older in age and have a long history of eyelid-malfunction symptoms.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD):
A patient who is suffering from MGD has prominent blood vessels along the border of his eyelids. Patients who suffer from this form of blepharitis are usually suffering from different other skin diseases such as rosacea.
Two: Why do you get blepharitis?
Blepharitis basically occurs when the oil glands malfunction. These oil glands are situated in the eye where eyelashes grow out. The condition may occur when the oil glands on the outer base of the eyelashes or the inner base of the eyelashes malfunction. The outer base is situated on the outer skin of the eye. The inner base is situated on the inner side of the eye which comes in contact with the eyeball.
About 40 oil glands are situated both on the outer side and the inner side of the eyelid. These oil glands are meant to produce oil to let the eyelashes function properly. But sometimes, these oil glands malfunction. And they may start producing more oil that is needed or less than needed oil. Or they may simply start producing the wrong types of oils. This result in blepharitis and can cause the eyelids to become red, inflamed and itchy. A generalized name for the malfunctioning of these oil glands is Acne Rosacea. This is usually what causes blepharitis.
Although oil glands malfunction is what mostly causes blepharitis, there are other causes too.