Causes of blepharitis
La Blepharitis It is a condition that has its origin in different factors, such as poor hygiene or insufficient blinking. Although there are various treatments that do not require medical intervention, in some cases it may be necessary consult an ophthalmologist to find a suitable solution.
Causes of blepharitis
La Blepharitis It is a condition that has its origin in different factors, such as poor hygiene or insufficient blinking. Although there are various treatments that do not require medical intervention, in some cases it may be necessary consult an ophthalmologist to find a suitable solution.
What is blepharitis?
La blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids which usually causes discomfort such as redness or itching, among other symptoms, in addition to the swollen eye.
Causes of blepharitis
Although there is no specific cause of blepharitis, this condition is associated with a excessive presence of bacteria on the eyelids. For this reason, one of the main causes of blepharitis is lack of hygiene in the eyelids.
However, there are other possible causes of blepharitis, such as certain skin conditions that can be rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis or the atopic skin.
These skin pathologies normally initiate a process that definitively leads to blepharitis:
- When upper eyelid swelling begins, the edge of it reddens. The immune system detects the presence of bacteria in the margin of the eyelid and the base of the eyelashes, and for this reason small superficial veins called telangiectasias, through which blood and antibodies are brought to the area.
- Over time these bacteria multiply, accumulating their droppings on the margins of the eyelids. In this way one forms biofilm which is toxic to the eyes, causing irritation and itching of the eyelids.
- The biofilm favors appearance of more bacteria and Demodex mites, which feed on it and aggravate inflammation by generating their own excrement. Sometimes a kind of dandruff is observed in the eyes, which accumulates on the base of the eyelashes.
- Exotoxins are formed in the eyelids, which are substances that cause inflammation and obstruct the Meibomian glands, responsible for the secretion of oil in the eyelids.
- When these bacteria infect the eyelid, a orzuelo. They usually appear in the morning legañas, which are debris from antibodies and bacteria.
- In an intermediate phase of the condition, a poor drainage of the natural oil of the eyelid causes dry eyes, burning y photophobia.
There is also two types of factors that favor the appearance of the swollen eyelid due to blepharitis:
Environmental factors
There are different environmental factors that can influence the appearance of blepharitis:
- Heating
- Wind
- The air conditioning
- Atmospheric pressure
- Environmental humidity
mechanical factors
In our day to day we can find mechanical factors that can also cause blepharitis, such as:
- Un insufficient blinking while using electronic devices such as mobile phones or computers.
- La reading or driving, which lead to poor drainage of natural oil and obstruction of the Meibomian glands. The symptoms of blepharitis are punctual in these cases.
Treatment of blepharitis
There are different medical procedures to treat blepharitis. Although a clinical intervention is not always necessary, it is always advisable to consult an ophthalmologist to propose an efficient solution to this pathology.
Below we explain the most common treatments used in cases of blepharitis.
eyelid hygiene routine
It consists of a series of soft rubs that the patient himself can perform at home, in order to eliminate the biofilm and keep the bacteria accumulated on the eyelid under control.
Recommended do these rubs daily.
drops and creams
There are cases in which the ophthalmologist prescribes drops or creams to end the excess of bacteria and other microbes in the eyes, especially when there is a risk of infection in the eyelids.
Sometimes we also recommend the use of anti-inflammatory to decrease inflammation.
Treatments in consultation
Although the remedies mentioned above are usually effective, it is common to complement them with certain techniques that we carry out in the ophthalmological consultation, such as:
- Radiofrequency treatment: It is used to dissolve and channel the material that causes the obstruction of the Meibomian glands through the application of heat, the liquefaction of fat and manual extraction.
- Electromechanical debridement of the eyelid margin: This technique polishes the eyelid margin and the base of the eyelashes, to finish with the biofilm that has accumulated, bacteria and Demodex mites. It also unclogs the Meibomian glands.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Its purpose is to end the obstruction of the glands of the eyelids, and that the lubricating oil flows normally towards the tear film. Normally several sessions are held spaced over time.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Blepharitis.
