What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is chronic eyelid inflammation, which causes symptoms like red eyes and itchiness. There are two main kinds of blepharitis, anterior and posterior.
Anterior blepharitis
Anterior blepharitis affects the outer front eyelid, at your eyelash roots.
Posterior blepharitis
Posterior blepharitis affects the inner eyelid, where your eyelids actually touch your eyes.
Both types of blepharitis can cause irritation and a range of other uncomfortable symptoms. You can have posterior and anterior blepharitis at the same time, which is called mixed blepharitis.
What are the symptoms of blepharitis?
Blepharitis symptoms can include:
- Burning eyes
- Red eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eye discharge
- Mucus eye discharge
- Gritty feeling eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Crustiness at eyelash roots
- Scales around eyelash roots
Some blepharitis don't have obvious symptoms, but usually you have at least a couple of these issues when you suffer from the condition.
How does the eye doctor diagnose blepharitis?
Your Classic Vision Care provider performs a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose blepharitis. This exam includes a careful check of your eyelid margins and eyelashes.
Additionally, your eye doctor carefully considers your medical history, your current health, and your description of symptoms to make a diagnosis. Your provider may test your tears and/or swab your eyelids to perform specific skin tests that can help diagnose blepharitis.
How can I relieve blepharitis symptoms?
Your Classic Vision Care provider can help you feel better with solutions such as:
- Warm compresses
- Eyelid scrubs
- Antibiotic eye drops, creams, or ointments to fight infection
- Steroid eye drops or ointments to relieve inflammation
Other options, like in-office eyelid cleaning, might also help reduce the symptoms of blepharitis. Long-term, controlling blepharitis means both good eye care at home and regular visits with your Classic Vision Care optometrist.
Be sure to keep your eyes clean, avoid touching them unless you have clean hands, and see the eye doctor as soon as you develop any new eye symptoms.
If you suspect that you might have blepharitis, don’t wait. Reach out to Classic Vision Care for blepharitis treatment by clicking the online appointment tool or calling the office located nearest you now.
