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Blepharitis Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.

Answers to questions about blepharitis

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can I still wear my contact lenses if I have blepharitis?

Blepharitis can make your eyes feel irritated and painful, so you may find it difficult to wear your contact lenses. Also, if you are using an eye ointment or artificial tear drops containing preservatives, you shouldn't wear your contact lenses.

Explanation

Blepharitis can make your eyes feel very sore and itchy. This often makes it difficult to carry on wearing your contact lenses. Many people find they can't tolerate contact lenses when they have symptoms. If your symptoms are mild and you can still wear your contact lenses without any pain, there is no harm in doing so.

Treatments for blepharitis include eye ointments or artificial tear drops. When using eye an ointment you should never wear your contact lenses, but wear your glasses instead. With artificial eye drops you shouldn't wear your lenses if possible. But if you do decide to wear them, take note of the following.

  • If you wear hard lenses - use your eye drops 30 minutes before inserting your lenses.
  • If you wear soft lenses - don't use eye drops containing preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride. Use preservative-free drops five to 10 minutes before putting your lenses in. However, if you are using Viscotears single-use eye drops, wait 30 minutes before putting your lenses in.

Further information

Sources

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How can I prevent blepharitis from coming back?

Making sure your eyes are clean and clear of any crusting or stickiness will help stop blepharitis symptoms from returning.

Explanation

Blepharitis is a chronic condition. This means that it lasts a long time, sometimes for the rest of your life. The term chronic refers to time, not how serious a condition is. Blepharitis can't be cured, but symptoms can be controlled. Good eye hygiene is vital to prevent symptoms from coming back.

Good eye hygiene involves keeping your eyelids and lashes clean and clear of any crusting or stickiness. You should try to do the following.

  • Keep the outsides and rims of your eyelids clean by washing them daily. Use a cotton bud and warm water with a few drops of mild shampoo (baby shampoo) in it.
  • Use a hot compress every day on your eyelids, even after your symptoms have gone.
  • Massage your eyelids after using a hot compress - move your finger around your eyelid in small circular motions for about a minute.

If you find that your symptoms keep coming back despite taking these steps, you should see your GP. He or she will prescribe you further treatment or may refer you to a specialist.

Sources

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Why are people with skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis more likely to get blepharitis?

Skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis can affect any area of skin on your body, and it's common for them to affect the skin around your eyes and eyelids, causing blepharitis.

Explanation

Eczema, rosacea and psoriasis are skin disorders that can affect any part of the skin on your body. If they affect the skin around your eyelids, they can cause blepharitis.

Eczema is a term used to describe many different types of skin conditions. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common form of eczema which can cause blepharitis. Your skin becomes red and inflamed, and starts to flake - it's often accompanied by a greasy rash. This type of eczema tends to affect areas of skin where there are a lot of sebaceous glands, for example the side of your nose, forehead or scalp. The sebaceous glands produce an oily liquid (sebum) that moistens and protects your skin. Blepharitis can be caused if too much sebum is produced around your eyelids; this is called seborrhoeic blepharitis.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition which causes redness and flushing of your face. Over time, the redness gets worse and pimples start to appear on your skin. It's caused by tiny blood vessels under the skin getting larger and wider. The exact reasons why this happens are unknown at present. It may be due to sun exposure, chemical and environmental irritants, or bacteria. The condition can affect the skin around the eyes and eyelids (ocular rosacea) causing inflammation and soreness (blepharitis).

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition which causes red patches of skin covered by silvery scales of dead skin. Psoriasis can run in families or be caused by environmental factors, such as infection, alcohol, sunlight or stress. Again, any area of the skin can be affected, including your eyelids, causing blepharitis.

All of these skin conditions can affect areas of the face, and they can often affect the skin around your eyes and eyelids. Often people with these skin conditions are more likely to develop blepharitis.

Further information

Sources

  • Blepharitis. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 10 April 2008
  • Khaw PT and Elkington AR. ABC of Eyes. London: BMJ Publishing Group, 2002
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007
  • Rosacea. eMedicine. www.emedicine.com, accessed 11 April 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: February 2009

 

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