Blepharitis Treatment, Causes & Symptoms

What Is Blepharitis? How Do You Treat Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. Our doctors at Vue Vision will diagnose the cause of your symptoms, as blepharitis has several different causes. A diagnosis is required before administrating the appropriate treatment. Blepharitis and dry eyes often occur together, causing confusion as to whether dry eye causes blepharitis or blepharitis causes dry eye. Blepharitis usually is associated with an increase in bacterial growth along the eyelid margin located at the base of the eyelashes. Over time, these bacteria multiply and create a film, which creates a toxic environment. The film forms like a plaque that forms on your teeth. Often, blepharitis treatment aims to remove the toxic plaque, but since blepharitis is chronic in nature, it usually requires ongoing treatment to reduce the inflammation and irritation around the eyes and eyelids.

Symptoms of Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)

Your specific case of blepharitis may display a combination of all or some of the symptoms below:

How We Treat Blepharitis

Treatment of blepharitis should begin with a visit to your eye doctor to determine the cause of your eyelid inflammation. Your doctor will examine your eyes and lid margins to evaluate whether you have blepharitis and determine what type of blepharitis treatment is most appropriate.

Typically, blepharitis treatment includes:

In-office Blepharitis Treatment

Our vision centre is proud to offer a new, in-office procedure for our patients to treat blepharitis

During the treatment, our doctors will gently exfoliate the lashes and eyelids to remove the crusted discharge from blepharitis. Prior to treatment, a numbing drop is placed in each eye to provide maximum comfort to the patient. During exfoliation, a medical grade micro-sponge gently and accurately spins along the lashes and eyelids to remove the debris. One sanitary, disposable micro-sponge is used for each eye to prevent the spread of bacteria. Lastly, the eyes are thoroughly rinsed. The patient will be instructed to maintain their clean eyelids with regular nightly lid hygiene at home. Our doctors typically will recommend a daily regimen of warm compresses and lid scrubs to clean the eyelids and reduce the number of bacteria and Demodex mites on the lids. Since home treatments are only semi-effective, the procedure is typically repeated at 4-6 month intervals. As with regular dental cleanings, blepharitis treatment should be performed every six months to maintain the health of the eyelids and control over blepharitis.

Why Have the In-office Blepharitis Treatment

Though eyelid scrubs at home are helpful, in-office eyelid hygiene procedures are recommended for more effective blepharitis treatment. Treating blepharitis can save patients money and time when adding up the costs of prescription drops and artificial tears, not to mention preventing serious infections.

Medicated Eye Drops and/or Ointments

Our doctors may also prescribe topical medications to reduce excess bacterial growth on the eyelids, particularly if there is a risk of eye infection or if it appears that you have some other type of eye infection along with blepharitis.