Blepharitis: An Ugly Symptom of Dry Eyes

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. It usually affects both eyes along the edges of the eyelids and commonly occurs when tiny oil glands near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, causing irritation and redness. Several conditions can cause blepharitis.

Blepharitis is often a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat. It produces reddened, inflamed eyelids and eyelashes. Blepharitis can be uncomfortable, but it usually doesn't cause permanent damage to your eyesight, and it's not contagious. Blepharitis can be caused by several sources, but generally have to do with the meibomian glands around the eye produce too much oil, allowing bacteria to grow around the eye, causing infection. It can also be caused by irritation to the eyes caused by makeup, debris, grasses, or other allergens.

There are a few different ways to combat blepharitis. Depending on the cause of the blepharitis, tea tree oil or hypochlorous acid products used regularly at home can decrease the amount of blepharitis found on the eyes. Learn more about these products here. 

In the clinic, treatments like BlephEx®, can quickly and safely be used to clean the margins of the eyelid. BlephEx is an in-office treatment that can be used to clean eyelid margins by removing excess bacteria, biofilm, and bacterial toxins, the main causes of eyelid symptoms. 

To learn more about blepharitis as a culprit for your dry or irritated eyes, contact ART Vision at 605-306-2020.