Blepharitis advice

[Rockingthestocking]

I have had awful eye infections for the last 6 weeks and Dr diagnosed me with blepharitis, dry eye syndrome and infections. I have antibiotics and steroids but am in agony and look shocking, and my vision is dreadful. I'm hopeful I'll see an improvement soon, but I wondered if anyone else has blepharitis and could offer any support or advice?
Took me weeks to get a doctor to see me due to Covid, which is understandable, but I am very worried the delay may have caused permanent damage. Dr yesterday didn't reassure me that it would be back to normal, just improved.

I would always go to my optician for eye problems, not the doctor. A doctor wrongly diagnosed me with a scratch which turned out to be an ulcer. The optician had much better machinery. Can you go there?

I was diagnosed with blepharitis and dry eyes in January this year. My eyes felt so irritated and as if something was stuck in them. It was so bad for a while that I found it really hard to concentrate on anything, and was constantly examining my eyes in the mirror. My optician recommended a daily routine of heat twice a day for 10 mins to warm and massage the eyelids (I bought a microwaveable heat pad), cleaning the eyelids (I use a wipe called Blephaclean), and eye drops at least twice a day (I use theoloz duo which are very expensive). After about 3 weeks it seemed to be under control. Afterwards I maintained the routine but was less strict eg warm compress twice a week and drops when I remembered. About a week ago, so about 4 months later, it seemed to return and I’ve started the strict routine again. Apparently once you have this condition it’s chronic and can flare up. I contacted my optician but was advised to self manage unless it’s an eye emergency or gets a lot worse when you get referred to an ‘eye pod’. I think it’s calming down a bit but sometimes I feel like drowning my eyes in drops!
It’s a really annoying problem so I feel for you. Hope you can get some relief soon.

Thank you for your replies. My optician wouldn't see me due to the situation and having had eye problems in the past (scratched cornea) and glaucoma in the family I was referred go hospital.
I have trying a hot flannel followed by eye wipes but perhaps only a minute or so, so will try leaving it longer. Thank you so much for replying, I'll try anything and it's good to know there is relief in the future! If all else fails

My partner had this 2 year ago, he was in a right state, eyes were sensitive to brightness, he said they always felt 'grainy'
Ended up having minor incision as one of his ducts were so blocked.
After this he has kept up with warm compresses, also now does not wear contacts as much more so his glasses.
I'd definitely recommend warm compresses morning & night for the foreseeable.
It was the optician that had him referred to the hospital though but by this point his eyes were as state ( never keeps up with eye app🙄)

Try a microwaveable eye mask, the flannel only stays hot enough for a few seconds and doesn't really help in my experience, whereas a hot maskon for 10-15 makes a huge difference. Also the lid scrub wipes are good, but expensive..

Agree with eye mask. There are gel based ones which you can either heat or chill. Wiping eyelids with boiled water each day can help.

I had a bad dose and was surprised at how long it took to get over. I thought it would be fine within a week but it really took 2 or 3 weeks of blurry gritty eyes, even after the ooze had stopped.

I was getting a bit worried tbh that I'd done permanent damage but then suddenly it cleared.

So don't be alarmed if it takes ages to feel normal again.

Btw I used cotton wool makeup remover pads and really hot water from the tap to clean my eyes. At least then you dump them afterwards so more hygienic than a flannel and less chance of re-infecting.

There are some really helpful facebook groups for blepharitis support if you use it.
Warm compress (you can buy microwaveable eye mask with little beads in) then eyelid massage will help

As above heat is good and my optician told me to wash eyelids with baby shampoo which I'm sure helped.

I have blepharitis and had the most horrid flare up last summer. The only wipes that really helped were Ocusoft lid scrub plus which they also do a foam cleaner of as well. Soothed it and cleared it up quite quickly. Blephaclean didn't help at all. I also use opticrom eye drops if my eyes are particularly dry and sore and they seem very effective. Hope it clears up for you soon.

I feel so bad for you, blepharitis can be horrible.
Around 4.5 years ago I was told I was suffering with blepharitis, it was awful, I had repeated infections and swollen eye. The locum at my Drs ended up sending me to a specialist eye hospital at my worst point when I could barely open my eye it was so swollen and SO painful.

A microwaveable heat mask is much better than a flannel as it stays warm. I would use it for 10/15 mins and then clean my eyes using a cotton wool pad and Blephasol (its a lotion which I put on the pad and then wipe my eyelids/lashes. One pad per eye)
This really helped but it took a long time (around 8 months I think) and a number of eye infections and eventually steroid drops, to get it all under control.

Fast forward to now and you’d never know I had any issues with my eyes.
I’m terrified of a flare up again so each morning after my shower I clean my eyes with the cotton pads and Blephasol.
I also use Hyco San eyedrops when my eyes are feeling sore and dry.

I hope you manage to get yours under control soon. Yes it’s a chronic condition but it won’t necessarily affect you this way forever

Adding in strong fish oils and vitamin b complex also helped with me this. I’ve had it for years. All advice given already perfect too.

Definitely the microwave bag thing - worked brilliantly for me. Also doctor sent me to urgent eye care clinic - didn’t know they existed

Do you have rosacea? My dermatologist told me that my blather iris was linked and gave me antibiotics - I can now wear contacts for the first time in years! Just a thought.

Thanks autocorrect 😂

Oh my word thank you so much for your replies! I have been feeling very low, both because of this bloody lockdown and also these damned eyes and to see these replies has really boosted me so thank you. I am going to buy a microwaveable mask now as the flannel doesn't stay hot at all! It's so good to hear that there are solutions so thanks again. I hope you all stay well. X

I have ocular rosacea which can cause the blepharitis. I do the hot compress as above and then wipe the lashes well with a hot flannel. I tried the antibiotics but they made me feel really ill (interaction with other meds probably) so I am on low dose steroid drops all the time. A lot of doctors don't like to do this but mine is fine as long as I get regular checks. I see an ophthalmologist who specialises in eye diseases, not optician or GP. I also use as many hydrating drops as I need - the Theo one mentioned is good, or optive - you need one with hyaluronic acid. The other thing I've done is to give up eye make up - I'm very sad about it but it made a massive difference.

Yes to the hot compress (I found more than once a day actually annoyed my eyes) and blephasol after.
Minimum drops as poss as I think this upsets the balance but use eye spray optrex if needed.
Can't recommend theratears omega 3 fish oils enough. Get them on amazon. Hope this helps... You will get it under control I promise x

DH has this. He washes lids with Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. He’s used both Blephaclean and Ocusoft in the past with good results too.

I have ocular rosacea amd swear by strong fish oil capsules (1500 mg Omega 3 daily). It took about twelve weeks to work but that has made a massive difference.

If you suffer from rosacea or blepharitis in my opinion only it's possible you are allergic to the waste of the demodex mites that live in our eyelash follicles. Try a broad spectrum anthelmintic.

Watch out for autoimmune causes too - I spent 18 months struggling with chronic dry eye and Blepharitis before I came down with an autoimmune disease.

My optician recommended using a solution of bicarbonate of soda (about a teaspoon) dissolved in boiling water (about 100ml) and using cotton wool pads.

I second the bicarb. Worked really well for me. With hot water. Hope you get some relief soon