Blepharitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Blepharitis

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Blepharitis

Alternative Names:

Eyelid inflammation

Treatment:

The primary treatment is careful daily cleansing of the lid margins to remove the skin oils that the bacteria feed on. Baby shampoo or special cleansers may be recommended by your health care provider. Antibiotic ointments may also be helpful in controlling bacteria on the lids.

If seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea are causing the problem, seek treatment for those conditions.

Expectations (prognosis):

The probable outcome is good with treatment. Continued attention to lid hygiene may be required to prevent recurrence. Continued treatment will typically make the eyes less red and more comfortable.

Complications:

Styes
Chalazia
Injury to the eye tissue (corneal ulcer) from irritation
Inflammation of the surface of the eye (conjunctivitis)
Loss of eyelashes
Scarring of the eyelids

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve after careful cleansing of the eyelids for several days.

Review Date: 7/24/2004
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.