How to Prevent Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common problem that affects many people. While it’s not usually serious, it causes redness, watery eyes, and soreness when it flares up. The condition is usually the result of an allergy, eye irritation, or getting a foreign object in the eye. It can become chronic, meaning that you live with it improving and deteriorating over time.So how can you stop it from happening? And how can you reduce the symptoms if you already have them—and stop them from coming back?The following details some top tips about how you can prevent or treat the condition, along with the importance of seeing an ophthalmologist if it doesn’t improve.

Everything you Wanted to Ask About Blepharitis

• Causes and symptoms of blepharitis
• 7 top tips to prevent blepharitis

Causes and symptoms of blepharitis

Blepharitis has several causes. These include:

• Failing to remove makeup regularly
• A type of skin bacteria
• Low oil production from the glands inside the eyelids
• A skin condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea

Mild blepharitis might have no symptoms at all and might only be diagnosed during a routine eye check. However, if the condition evolves, it has very typical symptoms:

• Itchy eyes
• Sore eyes
• Gritty eyes
• Redness in and around the eye
• Flakes or crusts around the roots of the eyelashes
• Sticky eyelids when you wake up

7 top tips to prevent blepharitis

There are some very easy ways to help prevent blepharitis or to treat the condition. These range from self-care to medication that your eye doctor might prescribe. You can also get mild treatments from the drugstore with the assistance of a pharmacist.

• Tip #1: Clean your eyes daily. Soak a cotton ball in warm water and gently wipe in a downwards motion with your eye closed. If you wear makeup, this should always be part of your evening regime. Be sure to use a good quality, dermatologically sensitive eye makeup remover to prevent any irritation
• Tip #2: Add a mild tea tree oil to the warm water as detailed above
• Tip #3: Use an antibiotic cream, ointment, or eye drops
• Tip #4: Use a prescription oral antibiotic
• Tip #5: If the above doesn’t help, your eye doctor might prescribe medication to control the inflammation
• Tip #6: The use of topical cyclosporine (prescription only)
• Tip #7: Treating a disease that might be the underlying cause, such as rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.

Complications of Blepharitis

Why it’s important to get professional help for chronic blepharitis

Why it’s important to get professional help for chronic blepharitis

If the condition isn’t controlled and improved, it can develop into chronic blepharitis. This means that it goes on for a long time, with periods where it flares up and then calms down. There is no cure for this, making it important to get professional help to control the symptoms. Again, establishing a daily eye cleaning routine is key, along with the use of artificial tears to combat any resulting dryness. Together with any medications that your ophthalmologist considers appropriate, this is the best way to keep the condition under control. If allowed to continue without treatment, chronic blepharitis can be uncomfortable and have a significant impact on daily life. This is why it’s important to partner with a healthcare professional who’s experienced in dealing with the condition to ensure the best way forward.

Contact the West Boca Eye Center for Blepharitis and All-Round Eye Health

The WBEC is a one-stop-shop for all things related to eye health. From routine eye checks to blepharitis treatment, cataract surgery to laser vision correction, this leading, academic-grade clinic provides the ultimate eye care for all ages.With one of the best ophthalmologists in the world at the helm—Brent Bellotte MD.—patients are guaranteed the very best treatment. With your eyesight probably being the most crucial of all the senses, it makes perfect sense to seek out the best professional to care for your eyes.Find out more at our services page and call today to book an appointment.