7/24/2019 blepharits_brochure.pdf

1/2

Phone: 708-636-0600Fax: 708-636-0606

E-mail: www.daviseyecare.com

4663 West 95th StreetOak Lawn Il 60453

Davis EyeCare Associates

D

First wash your hands, then dip a clean gauzepad into your cleaning solution. Gently wipe itacross your lashes and lid margin and washaway any oily debris or scales at the base ofyour eyelashes . Rinse with cool water. Use adifferent pad for your other eye, and repeat theprocess.

The next phase is to soak a washcloth in hotwater and placing the washcloth on the eyelidswithout burning them (eyelids closed) for a veto ten minute period. In the acute phase this isperformed 2 to 4 times a day. Be careful not to

burn your skin.

Warm compresses may be combined witheyelid massage. This is especially importantin patients who have problems with the glandsof their eyelids. The eyelid secretions are turbidand the gland openings are clogged. After warmcompresses, the turbid eyelid gland secretionsare more uid, but massage is necessary toexpress them. Therefore after every 1 minuteof warm compresses, massaging the eyelid asfollows will be useful.

Gently close the eyelids. Put your index ngeron the outer corner of the eyelid. Pull theeyelid towards the ear, so that the eyelids arestretched taut. Next use the index nger of theopposite hand to apply direct pressure to thetaut eyelids starting at the inner aspect of theeyelid near the base of the nose. Sweep withrm but gentle pressure towards the ear. Repeatthis maneuver four to ve times. Rememberthat the goal is to apply gentle pressure to theeyelids - so just rubbing the eyelid surface willnot give adequate results.

The scrubbing should be directed at the baseof the eyelashes on the eyelid margin. Soapsand cleansing agents used should not have

excessive perfume or lotion content.

There are commercially available cleansingpads that are presoaked in a cleansingsolution, Ocusoft Lid Scrubs. These cleansingpads are an effective method of lid scrubbingand are also available in a solution with the use

of cotton gauze. The pad should be applied ina gentle oval scrubbing motion to the marginand eyelash bases of the closed eyelid for 1minute, followed by a fresh water facial rinse.

Blepharitis rarely disappears completely.

Even with successful treatment, relapsesare common. Paying extra attention to goodhygiene at those times when your resistance isdown will help bring this condition back undercontrol.

If you have blepharitis, you may experience

loss of eyelashes, abnormal eyelash growth(misdirected eyelashes) or scarring of theeyelids. This may cause tears to run down yourface. Make sure you tell your doctor all of your

symptoms in order to receive the best possibletreatment. Other complications associatedwith blepharitis is caused by eyelashes andskin debris laden with bacteria. Excessivelipid production caused by the ocular glandspromotes the formation of crusty debris in and

around the eye which eventually clogs. Thiscreates a perfect home for bacteria to grow ina dark warm environment with plenty of foodaround such as skin and oil. These bacteriaexotoxin secretions break down directly into

a toxic material to the corneal epithelium,resulting in burning, stinging and sensitivity tolight resulting into an inammation. Disturbanceto the tear layer increases tear evaporation and

subsequently promotes dry eye.

Risk Factors

Chronic blepharitis is often linkedto occupations in which the handsare dirty for much of the day.Poor hygiene is also a risk factor.Seborrheic dermatitis of the face orscalp is alsoa commonrisk factor.

Dermatitiscausedby herpessimplex,varicella-zoster virus, allergies,and staphylococcus may alsocause blepharitis. It has also beenassociated with rosacea. Drugsand allergens can cause acuteblepharitis. Chronic cases canbe aggravated by environmentalirritants such as exposure tochemical fumes, smoke, and smog.

7/24/2019 blepharits_brochure.pdf

2/2

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis refers to inammation of the eyelids,

particularly at the lid margins. Bacteria is on

the surface of everyones skin, but in certain

individuals bacteria

thrive on the skin

at the base of the

eyelashes. The

resulting irritation,

s o m e t i m e s

associated with

over activity of the nearby oil glands causes

dandruff-like scales and particles to form

along the lashes and eyelid margins. For some

people the scales or bacteria associated with

blepharitis produce only minor irritation and

itching, but in others it may cause redness,

stinging or burning. Some people may develop

an allergy to the scales or to the bacteria which

surround them. This can lead to a more serious

complication with inammation to other eye

tissue, particularly the cornea.

STYA sty is a bacterial infection that develops

near the root of an eyelash. The result is a

painful lump on the edge or inside of your

eyelid. A sty is usually most visible on the

surface of the eyelid.

CHALAZION A chalazion occurs when

theres a blockage in one of the small oil glands

at the margin of the eyelid. The gland can

become infected with bacteria, which causes

a red, swollen eyelid. Unlike a sty, a chalazion

is most prominent on the inside of the eyelid.

EXCESS TEARING OR DRY EYES

Abnormal oily secretions and other debris shed

from the eyelid, such as aking associated

with dandruff, can accumulate in your tear

lm the water, oil and mucous solution that

form tears. Abnormal tear lm interferes with

the healthy lubrication of your eyelids and

your vision. There may be enough irritation

to stimulate excessive tearing. Inammation

associated with blepharitis can interfere with

the function of some of the non-oil-producingglands in the eyelid and lead to dry eyes.

C H R O N I C

P I N K E Y EBlepharitis can

lead to recurrent

b o u t s o f

conjunctivitis,

c o m m o n l y

referred to as

pink eye.

INJURY TO THE CORNEA Constant

irritation from inamed eyelids or misdirectedeyelashes may cause a sore (ulcer) to develop

on your cornea. Insufcient tearing could

predispose you to a corneal infection and loss

of vision.

Not wearing eye makeup during the

inammatory stage of the disease process

is a good idea, since it can get in the way of

eyelid hygiene and massage treatments. With

some kinds of blepharitis it is recommended

that you use an anti-dandruff shampoo for

your scalp and eyebrows; be careful not to get

the shampoo in your eyes, as it can be very

irritating.

Your symptoms may include irritation,

burning, tearing, akes of skin around the

eyes, sensitivity to light, frothy tears, loss of

eyelashes, dryness, and red eyelid margins.

The eyelids may appear greasy and crusted

with scales that cling to the lashes. This debris

can cause the eyelids to stick together at

night or in the morning when you wake up.

Blepharitis is a chronic disease for which there

is no cure and requires long-term treatment

to keep it under control. Treatment consists

of 2 phases (Acute phase and Maintenancephase). Acute phase treatment involves

intensive therapy to rapidly bring the disease

under control. In the maintenance phase the

goal is to indenitely continue the minimum

amount of therapy that is necessary to keep

the disease quiet. Controlling blepharitis

itself, will reduce

all the other lid

and ocular related

complications.

Warm Compresses followed by Lid Scrubs

is the most critical element of effectiveblepharitis control. This therapy removes the

eyelid debris, which can be food for bacteria,

which will increase the number of bacteria.

Warm compresses heat the debris and crust

on the lid margin softening the crusted area

and making it easier to remove with the lid

scrubs.

Lid scrubs mechanically removes as well as

kills bacteria due to the detergent action of

the soap in lid scrubbing pad. It stabilizes

the tear lm by releasing oily secretions

from the ocular glands, thus reducing tear

evaporation, so the dry eye symptoms are

also reduced.

MAN

Blephait tendTreatm

warm them, ulids. If yyour dor lubr

occluscontro

term us

PRESOmega

Acidswhich researcsh oilby liqu

secretieye drowith thto just Castor

reduce

Be suryour do

TREAThe w

is desbeforethem; warm

loosenopeninglands

Cleanscountethe lids