Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids, which can cause itching, burning, irritation, tearing, and crusting of the eyelashes and, occasionally, red eye. This condition can begin in childhood or develop later in life. Blepharitis may flare up only once but tends to recur repeatedly more often. Chronic blepharitis may lead to corneal scarring and decreased visual acuity if left untreated.

Blepharitis FAQs

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

Anterior blepharitis is the most common type. It happens when the body reacts to too much normal bacteria on the eyelids. This can cause redness along the edges of the eyelids and crusty flakes around the eyelashes. In some cases, eyelashes may fall out or the eyelid edges may change shape.

A less common form called seborrheic blepharitis usually causes less redness but more flaking around the lashes. It is often linked to flaky skin around the nose or hairline.

Posterior blepharitis, also known as Meibomian Gland Disease, affects the oil glands in the upper and lower eyelids. These glands can become inflamed and clogged, which affects the quality of the oil they produce. Since this oil helps keep the eyes comfortable, problems with the glands can lead to dry eye symptoms such as burning, tearing, blurry vision, itching, and overall eye discomfort.

What causes blepharitis?

There are several factors that may contribute to blepharitis. The most common of which include:

Clogged oil glands in the eyelids (called the Meibomian Glands).
Overgrowth of normal bacteria.
Seborrheic dermatitis.
Rosacea (a skin condition characterized by chronic redness).
Lice or mites known as Demodex.

How is blepharitis treated?

Eyelid Hygiene: Strict eyelid hygiene is extremely important when it comes to the treatment of blepharitis. Warm compresses and eyelid scrubs are generally effective methods:

Warm compresses should be applied at least two times a day for 10-15 minutes to heat and loosen the oil in the eyelids, which aids in the expression of the oil from the glands. This can be accomplished in a few ways. We recommend a commercially available microwave re-heatable mask that can be purchased in our optical shop. A warm washcloth can also be used as an acceptable alternative.

Eyelid scrubs are equally as important as warm compresses to remove eyelid debris and crusted oil. Eyelid scrubs should be performed twice per day. Our recommendation is a commercially prepared hypochlorous acid solution, such as Ocusoft Hypochlor (available in our optical shop). Baby shampoo on a wet washcloth may be used as an alternative.

Antibiotic And Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Depending on the severity of your blepharitis, limited use of antibiotic ointments, topical steroids, or cyclosporine may be necessary to control the condition. For some patients, oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, may prove helpful.

If you’re concerned about blepharitis, schedule an appointment with Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun. Our cornea specialists will develop a treatment plan to effectively manage the condition, based on your individual needs.

What should I do if I think I have blepharitis?

If you’re concerned about blepharitis, call (865) 584 0905 to request an appointment with EyeCare Optical’s affiliate ophthalmology practice, Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun. Our cornea specialists will develop a treatment plan to effectively manage the condition, based on your individual needs.