Blepharitis means inflammation of the eye lids. The cause is usually bacterial, but other organisms and diseases can result in blepharitis. Depending on the extent of the blepharitis, symptoms may range from mild redness and selling of the eye lids to painfully swollen lids with significant mucopurulent discharge. Very mild conditions can resolve without treatment, but if there is pain, or if one uses contact lenses or has had eye surgery, or if vision is affected, then medical evaluation should be sought as soon as possible.
Another similar problem involving the eye lids is known as meibomianitis or meibomitis. This condition is due to an infection or inflammation of the maibomian oil glands. Frequent symptoms in this disease ore red or swollen eye lid margins, red eyes, a foreign body sensation, tearing or burning (the latter particularly noticeable after taking a hot shower due to dilation and secretion from these oil glands.) If one or two oild glands become acutely swollen a style or chalazion can result. While chalazia can spontaneously resolve, many require association with meibomianitis is acne rosacea, a problem that also involves the glands of the facial skin.
Blepharitis treatement may be prolonged and require both topical and systemic medications, such as topical ophthalmic ointments or drops and occasionally systemic antibiotics. Lid hygiene consisting of debriding the eyelashes is frequently helpful. Debridement may be done with over-the-counter preparations or susing diluted baby shampoo on a cotton tipped applicator.
Untreated, blepharitis can result in loss of lashes, conjunctivitis or corneal infection. In a compromised cornea, such as in a contact lens wearer, the latter problem could even result in the loss of the eye if the infection were to spread to deeper tissue layers.
