Introduction
Blepharitis is a common condition that is not sight-threatening, but can be irritating and frustrating to live with if not dealt with effectively.
Blepharitis means inflammation of the eyelids. It can affect the eyelash roots and/or the tiny meibomian glands behind the eyelashes.
The signs and symptoms of blepharitis are described in the tabs i-v below. They are often worse in sunlight, a smokey atmosphere, in windy conditions, with prolonged computer usage, sleep deprivation, contact lens wear, with general dehydration and in an air-conditioned environment.
Blepharitis symptoms tends to vary from day to day and week to week – in most patients it does not persist in its most severe form for more than a few months.
What Causes Blepharitis?
In most patients, the cause is unknown. In anterior blepharitis, excessive bacterial activity may play a role. Posterior blepharitis is more commonly seen among patients with skin conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis (which causes the skin to become oily or flaky) and rosacea (which causes a the face to appear red and blotchy).
