Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid. Both humans and animals can get blepharitis. In animals, blepharitis usually presents with spasms of the eyelid, hair loss near the eyes and red, swollen eyes.
Blepharitis has many different causes. It is usually associated with conjunctivitis, or "pink eye" or "red eye." In conjunctivitis, the conjunctivae, or white parts of the eyes, become inflamed. Conjunctivitis is very contagious. There are several different types of blepharitis including parasitic, solar and allergic.
Parasitic blepharitis is seen quite commonly in dogs with mange. Hair loss usually accompanies this type of blepharitis. A veterinarian diagnoses parasitic blepharitis with a skin sample.
Solar blepharitis can occur in animals without melanin in their eyelids. Melanin is a pigment that adds color to the skin. Those without color, or with very little color, in their skin are said to have albinism. Skin without a normal level of melanin is extremely sensitive to sunlight and is susceptible to skin inflammation from conditions such as blepharitis.
Allergic blepharitis may be drug-related. Most allergies in animals tend to show symptoms on the skin. A veterinarian should be notified if allergic blepharitis is a possibility so that the medicine or other allergen can be avoided. If chronic blepharitis is occurring, the vet may want to check for hypothyroidism, a disease of the endocrine system that can cause conditions such as blepharitis.
Symptoms of blepharitis usually include swollen and crusty eyelids and red, irritated eyes. The eyes may feel "gritty" as well. Eye discharge is also likely to occur in cases of blepharitis. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic cream. Goats with entropion, a genetic condition in which the eyelids are reversed and scrape the eye, are often susceptible to blepharitis. A veterinarian may prescribe washing the goat's eyes with a sodium sulphacetamid solution a few times daily.
Blepharitis is inflammation (redness and swelling) along the edge of your eyelids. There are two types of blepharitis:
anterior blepharitis, when the inflammation affects the outside front edge of your eyelids, where your eyelashes are attached
posterior blepharitis, when the inflammation affects your Meibomian glands (which are on the inside front edge of your eyelids and produce a fatty liquid that protects your eyes)
Sometimes, people will experience both types of blepharitis because the causes are often connected.
Many cases of anterior blepharitis are caused by a bacterial infection, usually a staphylococcal infection that is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. Blepharitis that is caused by this type of bacteria is often known as staphylococcal blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis can also occur as a complication of seborrhoeic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes your skin to become inflamed or flaky). As seborrhoeic dermatitis is known to cause oily skin, it is thought that the excess oil can irritate the eyelids, providing a breeding ground for bacteria.
Blepharitis that is caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis is often referred to as seborrhoeic blepharitis. It often occurs with posterior blepharitis as well.
Posterior blepharitis is caused when something affects the Meibomian glands that are found on the rim of your eyelids. These glands are responsible for producing an oily substance that makes up the top layer of your tears. This oily substance is needed to keep your tears in place and protect your eyes.
Blepharitis that is caused by problems with the Meibomian glands is often known as Meibomian blepharitis.
Skin conditions, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and rosacea (a skin condition that mainly affects the face), are known to affect how these glands work.
In the case of seborrhoeic dermatitis, the glands produce too much oil. As with anterior blepharitis, the excess oil is thought to provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
In the case of rosacea, not enough oil is produced. However, this is still a problem because your eyes are not being properly protected by your tears, so they also become vulnerable to infection.
About half of people with rosacea will experience associated eye symptoms, such as redness and irritation. Rosacea that affects the eyes is known as ocular rosacea, although this condition is unlikely to develop in people already taking oral antibiotics for rosacea.
Left untreated, ocular rosacea can lead to:
iritis (uveitis), inflammation of the iris (the coloured part of your eye)
keratitis, inflammation of the cornea (the transparent outer layer of your eye)
Less commonly, blepharitis can develop as a result of:
an allergic reaction
an infestation of lice on the eyelashes
Signs and symptoms of blepharitis include:
Watery eyes
Red eyes
A gritty, burning sensation in the eye
Eyelids that appear greasy
Itchy eyelids
Red, swollen eyelids
Flaking of the skin around the eyes
Crusted eyelashes upon awakening
Sensitivity to light
Eyelashes that grow abnormally (misdirected eyelashes)
Loss of eyelashes
If you have signs and symptoms that don't seem to be improving despite good hygiene — regular cleaning and care of the affected area — make an appointment with your doctor.
Blepharitis cannot be cured. However, it can be treated and controlled through proper eyelid hygiene. Left untreated, blepharitis can develop into a more serious condition such as scarring or injury to the eye's tissue. If you have blepharitis, take the steps listed below to help treat and cleanse your eye:
Take a clean washcloth and wet it in very warm water. Wring the washcloth and place it over the closed eyelids for five minutes. Re-wet as necessary to maintain desired temperature. This will help to soften crusts and loosen oily debris.
Place the warm, wet washcloth over the index finger and apply a diluted solution of 50% baby shampoo or mild soap.
Cleanse one eye at a time, closing the eye you are cleansing, and rubbing the washcloth or your finger over the eyelashes and lid margins several times using horizontal strokes.
Rinse thoroughly with a clean, warm, wet washcloth. Pat dry.
There are many everyday steps that you can take to prevent blepharitis. This includes:
Keeping your hands and face clean.
Avoiding rubbing your eyes with dirty fingers or a dirty towel.
Never use makeup, especially eye makeup to prevent further irritation.