Blepharitis is a general term used to describe inflammation around the eyelids. This inflammation is typically on both the upper and lower eyelids, and it frequently occurs along the eyelid rim where the eyelashes are located. The glands that produce oil around the eyelashes are particularly likely to be affected, so the condition may occur alongside meibomian gland dysfunction. There can be many different underlying causes for this eye condition. It can be due to a bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection of the skin around the eyes. If you have an allergy, such as a reaction to your eye makeup, you may get the condition.
Those with other skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea are also more likely to get this condition. Until the underlying cause is addressed, it tends to be a chronic condition that may seem to get better and then occur again. Regardless of the cause, blepharitis typically leads to eye pain and discomfort. Despite the many unpleasant symptoms associated with this eye condition, it is not typically too severe and it is very treatable. The condition does not cause permanent eyesight damage as long as you seek treatment promptly. Since it is so important to treat blepharitis before it causes any sort of corneal infection, you need to know the signs and symptoms of the condition.
1. Eye pain
The most significant symptom of this eye condition is pain in one or both eyes. The pain tends to remain at fairly steady levels throughout the entire course of the eyelid inflammation. However, it can occasionally escalate, causing sudden sharp pains that fade quickly. Most people who have the type of eye pain associated with blepharitis report that it tends to feel like their eyes are burning or stinging. The location of this type of eye pain will depend on which type of blepharitis a person has.
Anterior is pain and other inflammation that focuses on the skin along the outside of the eyelid, while posterior causes pain along the inner rim of the eyelid, right next to the eyeball. Even basic versions of this condition cause pain in the eyes, but it can become worse if other symptoms of the condition cause further problems. Those who get peeling skin feel soreness when the crusts or scales flake off, and if the oil glands get blocked, a person may experience a constant throbbing pain around the blocked area. Blepharitis pain typically gets worse when the inflamed areas are touched by the patient, and it can ease up if the patient takes over the counter painkillers.
2. Eyelid redness
When a person has this eye condition, the inflammation will typically cause reddened skin along both the upper and lower eyelids. It typically occurs in a thin line of roughly ΒΌ of a centimeter around the eyes. If the condition is associated with a blockage, the reddened eyelid skin may expand to cover the entire eye socket or create a circular area of redness around the main source of blockage. Depending on the type of blepharitis a person has, the inner rim of their eyelid and the pink triangle of flesh at the inner corner of the eye can also become reddened.
3. Irritation
In addition to general pain and soreness, many people with this eye condition end up feeling like their eyes are constantly being irritated. For some, this feels almost like their eyes are itchy. It can feel like smoke or onion fumes are constantly getting in the eye and irritating the surface. The sensation of eye irritation can lead to what is called “foreign body sensation.” This is a type of irritation that makes a person constantly feel like a bit of grit or other foreign substance is stuck in their eye. Unfortunately, many people instinctively react to irritation by rubbing their eyes, and this just causes further inflammation.
4. Puffy eyes
Inflammation frequently results in swelling because more fluid rushes to the area of the body that is inflamed. When this type of swelling happens along the eyelids, it may be quite inconvenient. Some patients just get a slight bit of puffiness that is barely noticeable. Others may experience so much puffiness that the skin around their eyes is tight and uncomfortable when they blink. Occasionally, the puffiness may be so bad that it impairs vision. Swelling frequently concentrates in areas with oil gland blockage. Many people with blepharitis find that the puffiness is worse when they first wake up in the morning.
5. Contact lens intolerance
All of the general irritation and inflammation of blepharitis can make it very difficult to wear contact lenses for long periods of time. Since the condition lowers lubrication in the eye, contacts can feel stiff, scratchy, or sticky when worn. Many contact wearers find that they are initially able to wear their lenses, but after a few hours of wear, the contact lenses become increasingly uncomfortable. Even if you do not experience excessive contact lens intolerance, it is wise to avoid wearing contacts when you have blepharitis. Contacts can trap infections, so they may make it take longer for the condition to heal.
6. Eyelash rubbing against eyeball
All of the constant swelling and inflammation along the base of the eyelashes can cause them to grow abnormally. Either the upper or lowers lashes may be affected. Some people find that their eyelashes fall out more frequently which can cause a lot of discomfort when they get stuck in the eye. Another problem is eyelash misdirection. The eyelashes that fall out may grow back so that they point inwards instead of outwards, leading to constant difficulty with having an eyelash in your eye. This can lead to corneal abrasions or scratches, so the eyelash problems associated with blepharitis can be quite problematic.
7. Dryness
People with blepharitis frequently feel like their eyes are dry and gritty. Eye inflammation can keep the tear ducts from properly producing enough tears. Because it also affects the oil glands that moisturize the surface of the eyes, blepharitis patients do not have properly lubricated eye surfaces . The dryness associated with the condition is due more to a lack of oil than a lack of water, so most eye drops will only temporarily relieve the symptom. The dryness can be so pronounced that the eyelids stick when a person blinks. It generally leads to a lot of pain, itchiness, and discomfort, so eye dryness is the cause for many of the other signs of blepharitis.
8. Watery eyes
Though the condition is frequently associated with dry eyes, the reality is that it can also cause watery eyes. The constant sensations of inflammation and dryness can cause your tear ducts to start producing excessive tears. This can lead to so much liquid in the eyes, that patients have to constantly blink away tears to see. Some people find that their itchiness lessens when their eyes start to water, but for some blepharitis patients, the watering can just lead to increased stinging sensations. While sleeping, excessive liquid can dry and crust on the eyelashes, making it difficult to open the eyes when you wake up.
9. Blurred vision
Though rare, blepharitis can occasionally cause some vision issues. If the eyes are either excessively dry or excessively watery, your vision might begin to seem a little blurry. When this happens, everything will look fuzzy, far away objects will be hard to see, lines will appear less distinct, and colors may be muted. Some people with blepharitis just experience temporary blurriness, while others may have almost constant blurriness. Blurred vision can be due to a secondary infection of the actual eyeball, so it is quite a severe symptom. You should visit your doctor if you notice your vision blurring frequently while you have blepharitis.
10. Peeling skin
The constant swelling and inflammation of this condition can make skin around the eyes begin to peel. This is also due to other associated skin conditions, like dermatitis or rosacea, that may have triggered the development of blepharitis in the first place. Depending on your exact symptoms, you skin might peel off in greasy flakes, or it may dry into thick, crusty scales that peel off like a scab. Those who have the condition repeatedly for long periods of time can end up with significant scarring due to all of the skin damage. If skin is peeling, it will be careful to keep the area clean and avoid infections.
