Blepharitis do I need a prescription?

[Thepollenjar]

I’ve had Blepharitis on one upper eyelid for 48 hours, red shiny and swollen. Have had something similar on the lower eyelid a few months back but not to this extent. I have anti-allergy eyedrops but I can’t buy antibiotic drops over-the-counter and would need a prescription. Should I carry on with over-the-counter or try to get something prescribed? Has anyone else had experience of this, I have never had one this bad.

If you speak to a Pharmacist they can have a look and prescribe if necessary, likely quicker than getting a GP appointment.

Go to an optician. Some of the big chains in shopping centres might be open today - the one near us is on a Sunday. My DH is starting to get this regularly and the optician can help and advise/sell different drops. He also had to get an eye mask you heat up and you have to have it on twice a day for 10 mins then rub your eye lid in one direction and use special wipes they gave him to help clear the blockage. You have to keep using the mask for a few weeks after it clear to soften all the tear and oil ducts to prevent it reoccurring.

What @Fresh01 said. My DP also has it and is on the same regime, also all through an optician.

Thank you! I had not even considered an optician. I am out of the UK this weekend and where I am a pharmacist can’t prescribe antibiotic eye drops.

If it's blepharitis then you can buy an eye wash in boots which should sort it. Are you sure that's what it is?

Are you able to buy chloramphenicol where you are? Otherwise options to tide you over would just be holding hot compresses on the eye and buy some lubricating eye drops

Hot face towel rested over your eyes for 10 minutes. You can buy masks you heat up in the micro but the hot towel works well. And us baby shampoo to clean your eyelids.

My dad and Dd both suffer from it and this will be what the opticians ask you to do first.

If it's visibly swollen I'd get it looked at by an optician in case there's something else wrong. Whenever I've had blepharitis it's just made my eyes feel dry but there's not been any swelling. It's been treatable with the heat mask and eye drops.

It’s hard to say, maybe or maybe not

There is redness and swelling so I think some kind of infection

I recommend a combination of Optase Protect and a microwavable eye pad and wipes from the Eye Doctor. Both can be ordered online with no prescription.