Inflammation of the eyelids is known as chronic blepharitis. It is associated with skin disorders and bacterial infections such as acne rosacea and dandruff. Blepharitis is not very serious and its symptoms can be alleviated easily. But the symptoms can cause discomfort and it is therefore very important to maintain eye hygiene. This article gives information about chronic blepharitis.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Blepharitis
The signs and symptoms of blepharitis include:
- Red, inflamed or swollen eyes
- Sore, irritated eyes
- Itchy eyelids
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Dryness or burning sensation in the eye
- Abnormal growth or loss of eyelashes
- Flaky skin around the affected eye
Chronic Blepharitis Prevention
Following are some of the important preventive measures used to reduce the symptoms of blepharitis:
- Keep the eyes, face and scalp clean.
- Do not rub or touch your eyes when you have an eye infection.
- Eat foods such as spinach, fish, blueberries and leeks that improve the eye health.
- In order to reduce eye infection, use artificial eye drops.
- If your eyes are sensitive, use eye make-up that is formulated specifically for sensitive eyes.
- Use water-based eyelid cleansers to remove eye make-up after you have worn it. This enables the eyelids to breathe.
- Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing protective eyewear when outdoors.
- Sleep for as much as time possible to prevent puffiness, soreness and fatigue.
- Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and smoke.
- Drink lots of clear fluids in order to reduce dryness of the eye.
- Stop smoking — smoking makes the eye sore and dehydrated.
If the symptoms are not cleared soon, seek your doctor’s help immediately.
Causes
Following are some of the causes of blepharitis:
- Bacterial infection
- Seborrheic dermatitis, it is a dandruff of the eyebrows and scalp
- Eczema
- Allergies
- Infestation of the lice on the eyelashes
- Malfunctioning of the eyelid oil glands
