Blepharitis

Blepharitis symptoms and signs include:

• Watery eyes
• Red eyes
• A gritty, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
• Eyelids that appear greasy
• Itchy eyelids
• Red, swollen eyelids
• Flaking of the skin around the eyes
• Crusted eyelashes upon awakening
• Eyelid sticking
• More frequent blinking
• Sensitivity to light
• Eyelashes that grow abnormally (misdirected eyelashes)
• Loss of eyelashes

Patient Self-Care plays a major role in the management of blepharitis.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids, 1 to 3 g, two to three times daily.

2. Heat packs. Five minutes of moist heat at bedtime and first thing in the morning. Four times a day for two weeks, then twice a day for a month, and twice a week after that.

3. Eyelid scrubs

4. Blinking exercises: get the Donald Korb blinking exercise App on Itunes