Blepharitis: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Blepharitis
| image          = [[File:Infant_with_blepharitis_on_the_right_side.jpg|alt=Infant with blepharitis on the right side]]
| caption        = Infant with blepharitis on the right side
| field          = [[Ophthalmology]]
| synonyms        =
| symptoms        = [[Redness]], [[itching]], [[swelling]] of the [[eyelids]]
| complications  = [[Dry eye syndrome]], [[chalazion]], [[keratitis]]
| onset          = Any age
| duration        = Chronic
| causes          = [[Bacterial infection]], [[seborrheic dermatitis]], [[rosacea]]
| risks          = Poor eyelid hygiene, [[contact lens]] use, [[makeup]]
| diagnosis      = [[Clinical examination]], [[slit lamp]]
| differential    = [[Conjunctivitis]], [[meibomian gland dysfunction]]
| treatment      = [[Eyelid hygiene]], [[antibiotics]], [[steroids]]
| medication      = [[Topical antibiotics]], [[oral antibiotics]], [[topical steroids]]
| frequency      = Common
}}
[[Blepharitis]] refers to a common and often persistent inflammatory condition of the eyelids. The nature of this condition may cause a variety of symptoms that may range from mild discomfort to more severe manifestations that could potentially alter the eyelid structure.
[[Blepharitis]] refers to a common and often persistent inflammatory condition of the eyelids. The nature of this condition may cause a variety of symptoms that may range from mild discomfort to more severe manifestations that could potentially alter the eyelid structure.
[[File:Blepharitis.JPG|thumb|Blepharitis]]
[[File:Blepharitis.JPG|left|thumb|Blepharitis]]
=== Symptoms ===
=== Symptoms ===
Symptoms associated with blepharitis include a sensation of grittiness or a foreign body in the eye. Eyelid discomfort is also frequently reported and could present as soreness or itchiness. In more severe instances, changes in eyelid and eyelash structure might occur, leading to complications like trichiasis, where the eyelashes grow inward.
Symptoms associated with blepharitis include a sensation of grittiness or a foreign body in the eye. Eyelid discomfort is also frequently reported and could present as soreness or itchiness. In more severe instances, changes in eyelid and eyelash structure might occur, leading to complications like trichiasis, where the eyelashes grow inward.
=== Causes ===
=== Causes ===
Blepharitis is often linked with skin conditions like [[eczema]] and [[psoriasis]], which are characterized by skin dryness and inflammation. Additionally, the presence of [[stye]]s, which are painful, small abscesses on the eyelid, is more frequent in individuals suffering from blepharitis.
Blepharitis is often linked with skin conditions like [[eczema]] and [[psoriasis]], which are characterized by skin dryness and inflammation. Additionally, the presence of [[stye]]s, which are painful, small abscesses on the eyelid, is more frequent in individuals suffering from blepharitis.
=== Pathophysiology ===
=== Pathophysiology ===
The chronic inflammation seen in blepharitis can result from several factors, including bacterial eyelid infection, meibomian gland dysfunction (which leads to oil imbalance in the tear film), or allergies.
The chronic inflammation seen in blepharitis can result from several factors, including bacterial eyelid infection, meibomian gland dysfunction (which leads to oil imbalance in the tear film), or allergies.
=== Treatment ===
=== Treatment ===
While blepharitis does not have a definitive cure, several strategies can be employed to manage the symptoms and prevent complications:
While blepharitis does not have a definitive cure, several strategies can be employed to manage the symptoms and prevent complications:
* '''Eyelid hygiene''': Regular cleaning of the eyelids can help reduce the buildup of crusts and scales. This can be achieved through warm compresses and gentle scrubbing of the eyelids with baby shampoo or special lid-cleansing products.
* '''Eyelid hygiene''': Regular cleaning of the eyelids can help reduce the buildup of crusts and scales. This can be achieved through warm compresses and gentle scrubbing of the eyelids with baby shampoo or special lid-cleansing products.
* '''Infection control''': Topical antibiotic ointments or drops can be applied to the eyelid margin to mitigate secondary infections.
* '''Infection control''': Topical antibiotic ointments or drops can be applied to the eyelid margin to mitigate secondary infections.
* '''Tear substitutes''': The use of artificial tears can help alleviate symptoms, particularly in individuals who also suffer from [[dry eye syndrome]] due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
* '''Tear substitutes''': The use of artificial tears can help alleviate symptoms, particularly in individuals who also suffer from [[dry eye syndrome]] due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
Education on maintaining eyelid hygiene and regular follow-up care are crucial components of managing this condition. In cases where blepharitis is associated with skin conditions, managing the underlying condition is also necessary.
Education on maintaining eyelid hygiene and regular follow-up care are crucial components of managing this condition. In cases where blepharitis is associated with skin conditions, managing the underlying condition is also necessary.
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Dry Eye Syndrome]]
* [[Dry Eye Syndrome]]
* [[Meibomian Gland Dysfunction]]
* [[Meibomian Gland Dysfunction]]

Latest revision as of 18:18, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Blepharitis
Infant with blepharitis on the right side
Synonyms
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Redness, itching, swelling of the eyelids
Complications Dry eye syndrome, chalazion, keratitis
Onset Any age
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Bacterial infection, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea
Risks Poor eyelid hygiene, contact lens use, makeup
Diagnosis Clinical examination, slit lamp
Differential diagnosis Conjunctivitis, meibomian gland dysfunction
Prevention N/A
Treatment Eyelid hygiene, antibiotics, steroids
Medication Topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, topical steroids
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Blepharitis refers to a common and often persistent inflammatory condition of the eyelids. The nature of this condition may cause a variety of symptoms that may range from mild discomfort to more severe manifestations that could potentially alter the eyelid structure.

File:Blepharitis.JPG
Blepharitis

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms associated with blepharitis include a sensation of grittiness or a foreign body in the eye. Eyelid discomfort is also frequently reported and could present as soreness or itchiness. In more severe instances, changes in eyelid and eyelash structure might occur, leading to complications like trichiasis, where the eyelashes grow inward.

Causes[edit]

Blepharitis is often linked with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which are characterized by skin dryness and inflammation. Additionally, the presence of styes, which are painful, small abscesses on the eyelid, is more frequent in individuals suffering from blepharitis.

Pathophysiology[edit]

The chronic inflammation seen in blepharitis can result from several factors, including bacterial eyelid infection, meibomian gland dysfunction (which leads to oil imbalance in the tear film), or allergies.

Treatment[edit]

While blepharitis does not have a definitive cure, several strategies can be employed to manage the symptoms and prevent complications:

  • Eyelid hygiene: Regular cleaning of the eyelids can help reduce the buildup of crusts and scales. This can be achieved through warm compresses and gentle scrubbing of the eyelids with baby shampoo or special lid-cleansing products.
  • Infection control: Topical antibiotic ointments or drops can be applied to the eyelid margin to mitigate secondary infections.
  • Tear substitutes: The use of artificial tears can help alleviate symptoms, particularly in individuals who also suffer from dry eye syndrome due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Education on maintaining eyelid hygiene and regular follow-up care are crucial components of managing this condition. In cases where blepharitis is associated with skin conditions, managing the underlying condition is also necessary.

References[edit]

<references />

See Also[edit]

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