Sign and Symptoms of Blepharitis
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- Red Irritated Eyes
- Loss or Brittle Lashes
- Poor Contact Lens Wear
- Gritty Mattered Lashes
- Dry Eye Disease 
- Rubbing Eyes, Itchy Lids
- Rosacea

What is Blepharitis?

​Blepharitis (bleph -lid and itis- inflammation) is a chronic eyelid disease causing overgrowth of normal bacteria living on the base of the lids and lashes. Oil, sweat, dirt, debris, eye infection, dry eyes, and plugged tear glands can all lead to having inflamed irritated lids. There are generally 3 types: bacterial based (most commonly caused by staph bacteria), seborrheic (caused by oily, greasy, dandruff-like particles), and meibomianitis (inflammation of the glands which produce the oil and mucus part in a healthy tear film).

Significant build up of glands leading to painful lid infections.

Patient shows a lot of oily buildup and beginning of 2 new "sty's" on the upper lid.

Many "sty's" present with loss of lashes and thicken of eyelids. Here our patient has both. Upper lid shows a new "sty" showing with thinning lids. On the lower lid we see scarring, a bad sign the infection is breaking down the lid line. You can also see loss of lashes. 

Before and After (7 mins apart)

Sleeving of lashes is a direct sign of Demodex mites. Significant build up of Staph bacteria as well as broken and misdirected lashes can be seen. Patient was put on lid maintenance as well as other lid hygiene products and is doing great.

What is the Demodex Mite?

A tiny microscopic mite which lives on the lashes and lid margins and dines on biofilm (dead skin cells, mucus, oil, etc.) and staph bacteria . It causes many conditions of constant irritation, redness, and itchy eyelids.

Microscopic - Up to 1300 live per lid!

Did you know: Demodex has been linked to:

- Rosacea in humans
- Mange in cats and dogs
- Causes breakdown of the lid line
- Loss of eyelashes
- Destruction of the glands which produce good tears

"Collates," the homes of the Demodex mite. We want to get rid of these as quickly as possible. When we see this type of build up it usually always a sign of the mite being present. Remember 25 can live per lash follicle and up to 1300 total per lid! The Demodex Mite causes the breakdown of tissue, infections, loss of lashes and can lead to dry eyes, etc.

Our patient here shows a much more severe case! Buildup galore! We incorporated antibiotic and vitamin therapy as well as lid hygiene.

Plugged glands! Here you can see glands which are “capped” and are having a hard time excreting normal oil/mucus. BlephEx, heat, lidscrubs, and vitamin therapy do wonders!

How does it work?

We begin with an antibiotic/anti-inflammatory/anti-septic pre-treater, a good foam-based cleaner to help wash away the physical oil, dust, and buildup on the eyelid margin. After that, our office recommends a heat application therapy and natural homeopathic artificial tear to wash out any remaining particles. We also incorporate vitamin therapy in our office. Working from the inside out has shown to be very effective!  If required we can also incorporate an oral antibiotic for the more severe cases. ​

BlephEx Lid Cleaning System at Our Office
The newest system we have incorporated is the BlephEx system of mechanical removal. Think of it is polishing the lids and lashes or the removal of plaque from your teeth at the dentist. 

Before and after pictures

This patient shows a significant amount of buildup consistent with Blepharitis, Demodex Mite infestation, and Staph bacterial overgrowth. This patient complained about very itchy and gritty eyes. He thought it was just normal but after the procedure has noted a significant improvement in his eye lid comfort.

Our patient above had heavy deposits on his lid line and eye lashes. All of this bacterial and debris was falling into his eyes causing him to constantly have eye infections and lid bumps. 

Call us today for a free evaluation or schedule your appointment online.