Posterior blepharitis
La Blepharitis It can manifest itself in various ways, depending on the part of the eye it affects. One of these ways is posterior blepharitis, which occurs when it is located in the inner part of the eyelid.
Posterior blepharitis
La Blepharitis It can manifest itself in various ways, depending on the part of the eye it affects. One of these ways is posterior blepharitis, which occurs when it is located in the inner part of the eyelid.
What is posterior blepharitis?
La posterior blepharitis is a swelling on the inner edge of the eyelid Caused by a blocked Meibomian Gland. These glands are responsible for producing and supplying fat to the tear and, thanks to this, among other reasons, prevent the eyes from drying out prematurely.
This disease makes swollen gland becomes clogged, and that the grease to lubricate the ocular surface ceases to be produced. Therefore, we produce a tear of poor quality since it evaporates prematurely, causing inflammation, which can form a ball of fat in the eye.
Differences between posterior and anterior blepharitis
As we have already seen, the posterior blepharitis forms on the inner edge of the eyelid, causing an inflammation in it and, sometimes, the appearance of styes.
Instead, the anterior blepharitis is an inflammation of the eye that occurs on the outer edge of the lashes, just on the free and visible edge of the eyelids. provokes itching, stinging, and redness in the eyes and eyelids.
Symptoms of posterior blepharitis
The most common symptoms of blepharitis later are:
- Swelling inside the eyelid (upper or lower)
- Appearance of a small ball of fat in the eye or styes
- Redness
- Foreign body sensation
- itching or stinging
- Eye dryness
- Pain
- excessive blinking
- Photophobia
- Blurred vision
Causes of posterior blepharitis
It is not always possible to know what caused the posterior blepharitis. However, we know that It is more common in elderly patients., especially in those with sexual hormone disturbances or cutaneous rosacea.
There are drugs, such as 13-cis retinoic acid (used for acne) or hormone replacement therapy, which are associated with the appearance of oily eyes and other symptoms of blepharitis.
Treatment of posterior blepharitis
Different treatment options for posterior blepharitis are:
eyelid hygiene
It is important keep eyelids clean, washing them with hot water before applying any gel or wipe indicated by the ophthalmologist.
A gentle massage should be done to drain the glands and prevent soap from entering the eye. It is recommended to carry out this process once or twice a day, depending on the intensity of the posterior blepharitis.
Application of artificial tears
Artificial tears help relieve discomfort caused by lack of moisture in the tear film. They should be used consistently, several times a day.
Vitamin intake
There are vitamin supplements designed specifically for improve gland secretion of the eyelids, which are taken in pill form. They must be prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
Medication
The ophthalmologist may also indicate the treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids, depending on the severity of the posterior blepharitis. In these cases it is vitally important to strictly follow the specialist's instructions.
Treatments in consultation
Although the above are basic treatments for blepharitis, sometimes the ophthalmologist considers it convenient to apply a treatment to help relieve symptoms of the disease.
Among the main options we have:
- IPL pulsed light treatment: removes clogging and helps drain debris. It is advisable to do sessions over time for greater treatment effectiveness.
- Radiofrequency treatment: In this case, the obstruction of the eye glands is eliminated through the application of heat, thus draining the accumulated fat.
- Eyelid microexfoliation: a dragging of bacteria and mites is carried out to finish with the scales that form on the eyelashes.
