How can we treat lifelong blepharitis with periods of remission and flare-ups?;
We may often feel that we have a litter in our eye, have itching or a burning sensation. Our eyes and eyelids may often be red, we may have strange stitches on our eyelids, we may often get barley and hail or our eyes may water when they come into contact with dust, smoke and cold air. If any of the above happens you may have blepharitis.
For your information, it is not a serious condition, it can rarely cause eye problems, especially if neglected completely, but it can be very annoying. Blepharitis is an inflammation in the area of the eyelids where the eyelashes come out.
The good news is that it is not an infection. The bad news is... it's not an infection, and that means we may have it for life with periods of flare-ups and lulls.
What is the cause of non-infectious blepharitis?;
Non-infectious blepharitis, because there is also an infectious one due to the Demodex parasite, which can be eradicated permanently and cured, even though it already exists in the body, usually occurs after the age of 40.
It happens when the glands inside the eyelids produce too much sebum, which comes out of the root of the eyelids and dries out at the lip, causing irritation. It may coexist with rosacea, but it is certainly not contagious.
The inflammation is due to the microbes of the normal flora that overgrow on the dried mucus of the eyelid. That is why proper cleaning of the eyelids, which includes warm compresses and eye ointment and drops, is the most important way of treatment.
How is blepharitis treated?;
By hot compresses: Soak a clean face towel or gauze in very hot water, as hot as your skin can take. Place it over your closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes, gently massaging in a circular motion. Periodically re-warm the towel in the warm water. This melts the dried mucus on the lip of the eyelids, so it can be removed more easily.
Ο cleaning of the eyelids, the eyelid rim and the eyelashes are very important. It is done as follows: To 1/4 of a glass of lukewarm water, add either 4 drops of baby shampoo, or minimal baking soda powder. Dampen a clean cotton swab in this solution.
Sit in front of a mirror. With one hand, pull the lower eyelid downwards so that you can see the root of the eyelashes. With the other hand, making soft sideways movements with the cotton swab, clean the eyelid rim along the root of the eyelashes.
Repeat the same for the upper eyelid. To achieve this, look downwards. With one hand above your head, pull the upper eyelid upwards and with the other hand, swab it while continuing to look down. The upper eyelid requires more practice, however it cannot be injured with these movements.
By eye ointment containing an antibiotic and cortisone. Apply it with your fingertip, immediately after cleansing, to the root of the eyelashes for 2 weeks and then stop. The drops are artificial tears. Artificial tears are suggested, without preservative, which you use as many times as you want if you feel your eyes are dry on a long-term basis.
How long does the treatment of blepharitis last?;
We will need to continue the treatment for a few months, but as the symptoms subside, the frequency of treatment will decrease. We must not forget that because this inflammation is related to our skin type, if we want to minimize the symptoms, we should clean our eyelids in the above way, sometimes more often and sometimes not, throughout our lives.
Initially, cleaning is required to be done twice a day for 3-4 weeks and then it can be reduced to once. When symptoms are at their peak, cleaning is intensified for about 3 weeks. Noticeable improvement will be seen after 4-6 weeks of treatment.
What if it's infectious?;
There is also the infectious blepharitis due to the Demodex parasite. To diagnose the type of blepharitis, a visit to the ophthalmologist is necessary. In the case of infectious blepharitis, the treatment is complicated and is carried out under the close guidance of the doctor. However, once the parasite is eradicated, the treatment is discontinued.
