ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Blefaritis

What is blefaritis?

4 May 2021

It is a condition that consists of the inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, generally in both eyes at the same time, due to the obstruction of the eyelashes’ sebaceous glands, causing redness and burning. The chronic nature of blepharitis makes it a complex condition to treat.

Although it is not serious, it does not affect sight and is not usually contagious, it does represent discomfort and aesthetic problems.

It has not yet been discovered what causes this condition, but some factors that are related to its appearance have been identified:

  • Allergic reactions.
  • Eye dryness.
  • Dysfunctional or blocked sebaceous glands.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Eye infections.
  • Rosacea.

Signs and symptoms Blefaritis

  • Eye irritation.
  • Seborrheic presence on the eyelids.
  • Itch.
  • Tearing.
  • Fast blink.
  • Photosensitivity.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Eye redness.
  • Eyelid irritation.
  • Scabs on the eyelids.
  • Secretions sticking to the eyelids.

When chronic blepharitis is not treated properly it can cause a series of complications such as:

  • Excessive moisture or dryness in the eyes.
  • Conjunctivitis.
  • Discoloration, weakness, and loss of eyelashes.
  • Scarring and malformations in the eyelids.
  • Corneal sores

Diagnosis and treatment Blefaritis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, he or she will perform an exhaustive eye and eyelid examination.

If considered necessary, he or she will take a sample of the secretion or crusts on the eyelids to analyze it and determine if there is any bacterial or fungal infection or any allergic reaction causing it.

In addition to recommending that you keep your eyelids clean and apply warm gauze, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or others that are necessary in the event of the presence of an underlying condition.

In case of identifying any blockage of the eyelids’ sebaceous glands, pulsed phototherapy can be used to eliminate the obstructions. Blepharitis is usually chronic and recurrent, so it is necessary to maintain permanent care of the eyelids to avoid complications.

Sometimes, as there is no improvement with treatment and only one eye is affected, it could be eyelid cancer, so additional tests will be required to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Blefaritis

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • aao.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • imo.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Alonso-García A, Bonachea-González B. Caracterización clínica de pacientes con blefaritis y demodecosis. AMC. 2020;24(3):414-425.
  • Rodríguez VE, Domínguez CLG. Angular Bilateral Blepharitis by Moraxella lacunata . Aten Fam. 2019;26(2):77-78.
  • Fano MY. Complicaciones de la Blefaritis. Presentación de caso. Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2016;15(1):82-89.
  • Gamboa-Barragán JÁ, Cortés-Rodrigo MD, Rodríguez-Reyes A. Incidencia de Demodex folliculorum en blefaritis. Rev Mex Oftalmol. 2003;77(2):44-47.

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