Ever Heard of Blepharitis? I Haven't Until Now!

I wake up every morning with my eyes crusted shut. My vision is blurry because my eyelids are so swollen. It always feels like I have something in my eyes during the day. It is irritating to deal with it and control it. Recently I went for my annual physical and found out that I have Blepharitis. I had never heard of it before as it is not highly publicized like other physical ailments. Let me explain what it is.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (http://tiny.cc/3fa1z), Blepharitis is an “inflammation of the eyelash follicles, along the edge of the eyelid.” “Blepharitis is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria that is normally found on the skin,” the article says. “People who have blepharitis have too much oil being produced by the glands near the eyelid. This allows bacteria normally found on the skin to overgrow.”

WebMD (http://tiny.cc/sbvrl) describes symptoms that I do have like dry eyes, blurry vision, and crusting of the eyelashes. The symptoms may also include burning of the eyes and very swollen eyelids. It is very irritating as it may feel like something is in your eyes during your normal daily routine.

There is no cure for Blepharitis. It can only be treated and controlled by better hygiene of the eyelids (http://tiny.cc/mtfcd). According to MedicineNet.com, you can use warm compresses on your eyes with warm water using one washcloth for each eye. This will help loosen up the crust and gunk that is in your eyes. Then you take a cotton swab dipped in a solution of 4 to 1 using warm water and gentle baby shampoo. Close your eyes and swipe your eyelids using a different cotton swab for each eye. This may have to be done 3 or 4 times a day. Keeping your eyelids clean can make a big difference in the irritation and swelling of the eyelids.

Other factors may come into play as not using makeup, and giving the contact lenses up for a while until you get it under control. My doctor has given me eye drops and a solution to rub my eyelids with to get my problem under control. Some prescription medicines may help, too. Please see your doctor if you have swollen eyelids and irritation of the eyes. You just may have Blepharitis.