Blepharitis is a common eyelid disorder in
which an inflammation in the eyelids can be easily noticed. It is a condition
that used to affect the eyelids as well as eyelashes. When bacteria cause irritation
in the eyes then the eyelids becomes itchy and red. However, this issue do not
cause any permanent hazardous to the eye vision.
Today,
here, in this blog, I will discuss about the different types of blepharitis.
Blepharitis can be done due to different causes based on the types of
blepharitis. So, just keep on reading this blog and see what different types
of blepharitis can take place in humans and also the causes behind the problem and
treatments available.
This
eyelid issue may be caused due to bacteria or due to other skin conditions
like skin allergies, dandruff or even eczema. If you have blepharitis
issue then you are more likely to styes in the eyelids.
Different Types Of Blepharitis
There
are different types of blepharitis that can be occurred due to several reasons
at different stages. Blepharitis is generally divided into two different types.
So, let’s start knowing about them and also know how they are caused and
treated at time so that it does not affect the eye vision.
Type
#1: Anterior Blepharitis
Anterior
blepharitis is a kind of blepharitis that used to affect the outside part of
the eyelid where the eyelashes get attached. This type of blepharitis can be
further divide into two other types; one is seborrheic blepharitis and another
one is ulcerative blepharitis. Now, let us go through them in detail one by
one:
·
Seborrheic
Blepharitis: This
kind of blepharitis is generally associated with dandruff present in the
eyelashes. When this kind of blepharitis takes place, an eyelid become red and
start producing waxy scales to build up on the eyelashes which causes the eyes
to itch. These waxy scales initially develop because of the abnormal amount of
type of tear film that are produced by the eyelid’s glands.
Causes Of Seborrheic Blepharitis
Seborrheic
blepharitis is a type of eczema that is present in the places where the
sebaceous glands are active. The seborrheic production is actually not related
to the severity of the eyelid disorder – eczema. Some people are free from
eczema even though the sebum production is large in numbers.
So,
in this way, the actual cause of the seborrheic blepharitis is still unknown.
But, some conditions like alcohol consumption in higher quantity, depression, epilepsy
and medications like lithium, interferon and psoralen induce the risk of having
seborrheic blepharitis.
·
Ulcerative
Blepharitis: This
type of blepharitis is less common than the seborrheic blepharitis and it
generally starts to develop in childhood. Ulcerative blepharitis is usually
cause due to bacteria. This is much more
severe from that causes hard crusts to form around the eyelashes. These crusts
generally become matte during sleep and makes it difficult to open the eyes after
you wake up in the morning.
Causes of Ulcerative Blepharitis
Ulcerative
blepharitis is generally caused due to the bacteria that are present in the skin
around the eyes. These bacteria can penetrate the human the body via insect bite
or a cut in the skin or via the opening pores of the skin while using the medical
equipment.
The
bacterium staphylococcus or ulcerative causes some infections, from soft tissue
and minor skin infections to the invasive eye infections, known as staphylococcal
or staph infections. Among the different varieties of ulcerative, the staphylococcus
bacteria - aureus is consist of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, in
short, known as MRSA. It resists some antibiotics like flucloxacillin which is generally
used for staph infections.
Type
#2: Posterior Blepharitis
Posterior
blepharitis is a
second type of blepharitis that used to develop when oil glands in the
inner part of the eyelids allows the bacteria to grow. This issue can take
place as a result of skin issues like scalp dandruff and acne rosacea. With the
force applied while blinking the eyes, oil is secreted into the tears. This oil
is generally to prevent eye tear film evaporation.
When
all these oil glands have inflammation either too much or too little oil is
secreted. Those who are suffering from MGD generally becomes burning, dry eyes
or red eyes. Eye vision tends to fluctuate because the tears film presents in
the unstable.
Causes of Posterior Blepharitis
Some
issues are associated with the eyelid’s inner part in the posterior blepharitis.
The margins of the eyelid have minute oil glands known as meibomian glands. Such
glands are positioned in upper and well as lower eyelids with each eyelid
carrying about 15 to 20 glands.
The
meibomian glands openings lie inside the eyelash’s line, most possibly on the
eyelid corners. The oil penetrates very slowly while blinking the eyes. However,
the gland used to collapse when it is vacant.
The
oil produced by meibomian gland combined with the component filled with
water present in the eyes and tear film is created together. The oily layer of
this gland provides a special coating to the eyelid’s water layer and then
protect the water from evaporation. However, when the quantity and the quality
of the water is altered then there are some symptoms like eye irritation.
Meibomian
blepharitis signifies
some symptoms like reddness in the eyelid lining and poor tear quality. This is
due to the irregular production in the eyelid’s glands. The meibomian glands are
generally broken down due to the bacteria that causes irritation to the eyes.
What
Is The Fastest Way To Cure Blepharitis?
No
matter what types of blepharitis you have, you can try some treatments to
cure blepharitis with easy and effective natural treatments as well
as medical treatments mentioned here in the below section. So, just go
through them one after another and try to follow them on a regular basis to get
this eyelid problem cured in no time.
Natural
Treatments To Treat Different Blepharitis Types
·
You
can try a warm compress over the closed eyes for about 15-20 minutes so
that it can help you loosen the brittle deposits on the eyelids.
·
Try
to use a washcloth that is moistened with 4-5 drops of diluted baby
shampoo and warm water to wash away the oily scales or debris present at
the eyelash’s base. Make sure that you take different clean cloth for both the eyes.
·
Sometimes
you may need to be more deliberate about cleaning the corner of the eyelids
where the eyelashes are located. To do so, you need to gently pull the eyelid
away from the eyes and then use the washcloth to rub the eyelash’s base gently.
Doing so will help you avoid damaging the cornea with the washcloth.
·
Always
rinse both the eyelids with warm water and then pat it dry gently
with a dry and clean towel.
·
You
can also try antibiotics to cure different types of blepharitis. As for
example, if you have eyelid pain or swollen eyelids or it has
become red then you should hurriedly see a doctor.
Medical
Treatment To Cure Different Types of Blepharitis
Sometimes
natural treatments are not enough to get rid of blepharitis issue. In
that case, you need to get in contact with some medical treatment options.
To know what they are, you can go look below:
·
Oral
Antibiotics
If
you have stubborn blepharitis then you need some oral antibiotics that
has to be taken into consideration. Some antibiotics like doxycycline, minocycline
or tetracycline or prescribed anywhere from 30 days to much longer can
be quite effective.
·
Topical
Antibiotics
When
it comes to topical antibiotics, azithromycin works well in treating
blepharitis. In topical form, azithromycin is known as azasite. Generally, doctors
also suggest this topical antibiotic that needs to be applied to the eyelid
margin with the help of finger in a very small amount. An azasite have some anti-inflammatory
effect and anti-infective as well.
·
Corticosteroids
Although
steroids can bring some risks and unwanted side effects, they are quite effective
at quelling inflammation when no natural treatments do not work. Some doctors
will prescribe the patients for short-term inflammation control to reduce the
possible complications.
How
To Prevent Different Types Of Blepharitis?
Well,
once you get rid of any types of blepharitis you had before, make sure that you
do not come across this issue again. Here, you can follow some preventive tips
to avoid blepharitis to get again in life.
·
Remove
all eye makeup before you go to sleep
·
Always
keep your eyelids clean
·
Stop
using makeup if you are having an early stage of blepharitis and treating it
·
Never
use eyeliner on the back corners of the eyelids behind the eyelashes
·
If
your eyelids are inflamed, stop using it right there
Final
Thoughts
After
going through the above sections of this blog, it is clear that there are mainly
two types of blepharitis. Both these blepharitis types have different
conditions and causes. But, let me make one thing clear that whether you have anterior
or posterior blepharitis, treatment options are same for both the types.
So,
whether you have anterior or posterior blepharitis, you can try the treatments
mentioned in the above sections of this blog. Also, you need top follow some preventive
measures to avoid having blepharitis again once it is treated completely.
So,
keep in mind everything about different types of blepharitis and its
treatments and preventive tips so that you can get healthy and youthful appearance
forever.