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Blepharitis |
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Introduction
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Blepharitis (blef-uh-RI-tis) is a common condition affecting the skin of the eyelids, and it usually involves the part of the eyelid where the eyelashes grow (lid margins). Commonly, when tiny oil glands located near the base of the eyelashes malfunction. When these oil glands malfunction, bacterial overgrowth can result, leading to inflamed, irritated and itchy eyelids. Blepharitis is often a chronic condition. Although it's uncomfortable, blepharitis doesn't cause permanent damage to eyesight if treated properly.
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Signs and symptoms
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Signs and symptoms of blepharitis include:
- Watery or red eyes
- A gritty, burning sensation in the eye
- Itchy eyelids
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Flaking of the skin around the eyes
- Crusted eyelashes upon awakening
- Sensitivity to light
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.. Sometimes you may notice only the presence of dried tear secretions in the morning that feel like small grains of sand.
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Treatment
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Blepharitis needs very good hygiene — that means regular cleaning of the area and that may be the only treatment needed in most cases and cleaning can control signs and symptoms and prevent complications.
In severe cases, eyedrops containing antibiotics and steroids may be prescribed. If your blepharitis is linked to an underlying cause such as dandruff or rosacea, treating those conditions may alleviate the blepharitis.
Blepharitis rarely disappears completely. Even with successful treatment, relapses are common. Paying extra attention to good hygiene at those times may help bring the condition back under control.
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How to do lid hygeine
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- Take a cup of warm water (about 60 ml) and allow it to cool.
- Add a pinch of Sodium bicarbonate (baking or eating soda) to that water.
- Mix thoroughly with a clean washed spoon.
- Take a fresh ear cleaning cotton bud like Johnson’s ear buds and dip it in the soda bicarbonate water.
- Use the cotton bud to clean the lid margins.
- Gently but with firm pressure massage the lid margin along eye lashes from one side to the other side.
- You need to clean both upper and lower eye lids of both eyes.
- This way you need to clean and massage 10 times every morning.
- Continue this cleaning/hygiene measures for 2 weeks on every day.
- Then after two weeks, do it only when eyes are uncomfortable.
- Everyday a fresh cup of soda bicarbonate water needs to be prepared. Do not use the same old water on next day.
- Use a separate cotton bud for each eye.
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