Blepharitis: Causes, Tests and Treatments

By John Hewitt

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. The word ‘blepharitis’ comes from two Greek words: blepharos which means ‘eyelid’ and ‘itis’ which typically means inflammation. It can cause irritation, itching and redness on the eyelids, at the part where eyelashes grow. Blepharitis can happen due to a number of reasons such as a bacterial or a skin infection. If you are suffering from blepharitis, this book gives you all the information you need to know about causes, tests and treatments. Plus, a complete listing of naturopathic physicians for every state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andale LLC
• Release date: Oct 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466083998

John Hewitt

'John Hewitt outstrips the categories we keep invoking for him, such as “doyen of Ulster poets” or “conscience of the Planter tradition”. He becomes, instead, the universal poet, servant of the medium, renewer of the forms, discoverer of the nugget of harmony in the language and in ourselves.’ Seamus Heaney 'The constant subjects of his poetry are historical isolation and private loneliness. When he uses one as a metaphor for the other, he writes with an unforgettable mixture of courage and perception.' Eavan Boland    ‘John Hewitt the poet made himself heard in a land of bellowers without raising his voice. He held out the creative hand rather than the clenched fist.’ Michael Longley   John Hewitt, father figure to a generation of poets such as Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley, is widely acknowledged as a poetic icon and creative catalyst within the canon of Irish poetry. Edited, with a new introduction, by acclaimed poets Michael Longley and Frank Ormsby, Selected Poems is testament to Hewitt’s remarkable legacy, and a celebration of a unique, compelling and still urgent voice in Irish poetry. 

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Blepharitis: Causes, Tests and Treatments

John Hewitt, MA

Mohamed Awad MD (Ed.)

Smashwords Edition

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Copyright 2011 John Hewitt, MA Mohamed Awad MD.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Contents

One: What is Blepharitis?

Two: Why do you get blepharitis?

Three: Common symptoms and signs

Four: Preparation before going to the eye specialist

Five: Treatment

Six: Tests

Glossary of Medical Terms

Appendix A: Internet Resources / Further Reading

Appendix B: Complete Directory of Holistic Physicians Listed By State

One: What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. The word ‘blepharitis’ comes from two Greek words: blepharos which means ‘eyelid’ and ‘itis’ which typically means inflammation. It can cause irritation, itching and redness on the eyelids, at the part where eyelashes grow. Blepharitis can happen due to a number of reasons such as a bacterial or a skin infection.

The infection affects the tiny oil glands near the base of the eyelashes. The oil glands malfunction and result in red, inflamed eyelids. This happens because the oil glands start producing more or less than the normal amount of oil they produce. They may also start producing the wrong type of oil. It can also cause the formation of dandruff-like scales which are seen on the eyelashes.

Blepharitis can also be caused by a number of other reasons such as skin allergies, skin cancer, or allergy to environmental conditions such as high pollen count. Skin allergies such as allergy to eye make-up can cause this condition. Some people are not aware of such allergies the first time they wear eye make-up and using mascara can lead them to acquiring this condition. Blepharitis is also caused by different health-related issues. For example, a person may have an internal health problem such as some form of cancer and blepharitis may be a sign of this health issue. In such a case, the doctor needs to know the details of the patient’s medical history to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying condition.

There are no age limits for this condition and people suffer from blepharitis at all ages. Some researchers say that up to 15 percent of the population may be a victim of blepharitis. Blepharitis is a chronic condition which means that it can last for a long duration. Although it makes a person feel quite uncomfortable and annoyed, it doesn’t harm the eyes or the eyesight permanently. It is not contagious either so it doesn’t transmit from one person to another. But this condition may recur even after a person treats it and gets rid of it.

There are usually two types of blepharitis. These are given below:

Anterior blepharitis: This is the type of blepharitis in which itching and inflammation occur at the outer edge of the point where eyelashes are attached to the eye. This type of blepharitis is often caused by bacteria (staphylococcal blepharits), or a case of dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows (seborrheic blepharitis). If it is caused by dandruff and no steps are taken to control dandruff in the scalp, the symptoms may get worse. A simple way to control dandruff is to use a good anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp regularly.

Posterior blepharitis: In this type of blepharitis, the inner point of the eyelashes -- the point that also comes in contact with eyeball -- suffers from itching and inflammation.

Often, a person suffers from a case of blepharitis which is a mixture of both types mentioned above.

Clinically, blepharitis is divided into three prominent forms. These include:

Staphylococcal blepharitis:

In staphylococcal blepharitis, the patients suffer from scaling of the skin around the eye lashes. This can result in the loss, or misdirection of the eyelashes as well as the deposit of dandruff flakes on the lashes. The patient may also suffer from crusting every time he wakes up. Patients with this form of blepharitis are often young and have a history of malfunctioning of glands in eyelids.

Seborrheic blepharitis:

In seborrheic blepharitis, the patients may suffer from greasy scales around the base of eye lashes and mild redness of the eye lids. Patients who suffer from this form of blepharitis are often older in age and have a long history of eyelid-malfunction symptoms.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD):

A patient who is suffering from MGD has prominent blood vessels along the border of his eyelids. Patients who suffer from this form of blepharitis are usually suffering from different other skin diseases such as rosacea.

Two: Why do you get blepharitis?

Blepharitis basically occurs when the oil glands malfunction. These oil glands are situated in the eye where eyelashes grow out. The condition may occur when the oil glands on the outer base of the eyelashes or the inner base of the eyelashes malfunction. The outer base is situated on the outer skin of the eye. The inner base is situated on the inner side of the eye which comes in contact with the eyeball.

About 40 oil glands are situated both on the outer side and the inner side of the eyelid. These oil glands are meant to produce oil to let the eyelashes function properly. But sometimes, these oil glands malfunction. And they may start producing more oil that is needed or less than needed oil. Or they may simply start producing the wrong types of oils. This result in blepharitis and can