Struggling with blepharitis

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I've had sensitive eyes for around 30 years now and have always used eye drops like hypromellose to ease the discomfort.

I've now been diagnosed with blepharitis after being seen at an eye hospital. Tear production is normal, but I have mebomian gland dysfunction.

I was prescribed steroid and antibiotic combo ointment in November and a list of self care things, which I was doing anyway. Doctor has just prescribed another two weeks of steroid ointment and I have a follow up in March.

The problem has now returned after a few weeks respite my eyes feel gritty, itchy and like there's something in them. Left eye is worse. I have had filamentary keratitis towards end of last year and was prescribed acetylcysteine eye drops for that after filament removal.

I do:

Hot compresses - microwave mask and a heated pen thing which also vibrates. All kept clean and hygienic.

Eyelid cleansing with water and warm flannel - doctor said not to use any products just water. Flannel changed every other day.

Gel eye drops

Hyaluronic Acid 0.2% eye drops

Night time lubrication - ointment

I wash my face with water, no products used at all and no shampoo gets into my eyes or onto my face. No makeup used, nothing. No hair styling products used either.

I don't use a computer

We don't use central heating

I'm not exposed to chemicals, sprays, dusty or dirty environment etc.

I'm literally at my wits end. I don't know what else to do now. I don't know what's causing it or how to deal with it. I can't be on repeated courses of steroid ointment because it causes increased eye pressure and cataracts.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I can do? It's so painful and blurs my vision during a flare up. I've even been taking Fexofenadine in case it's due to an allergy. Eyes are worse in summer due to mild hayfever.

Please help.

Gritty, sore eyes are hell. Has your ophthalmologist ever suggested

-oral antibiotics
-cyclosporin
-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops (like ibuprofen in drop form)

All are options worth asking about

Have they considered Sjogren's Syndrome? (I know your tear production is ok but it can present in some funny ways).

He hasn't mentioned any other treatments or Sjogrens syndrome.

I would be happy to have a non steroid anti inflammatory.

I will ask about these things next time I'm there.

I was so disappointed when it returned following the ointment. I was sure that I was doing enough self care to prevent a reoccurrence, but obviously not.

I've got blepharitis and the only thing that helps keep mine at bay (obviously I know everyone is different, and what works for me may not work for you) is cleansing my eyelids with tea tree products. I use a tea tree face wash to give my eyelids and lash line a good scrub daily, and if my eyes feel gritty during the day I use Optase tea tree lid wipes.
I empathise with you though - it's such a dreadful, irritating condition!😣

I have it and I wash my eyes with a weak solution of baby shampoo and warm water, which seems to soothe it.

I've used tea tree wash and baby shampoo, but the doctor told me not to use anything other than water in case I'm having a reaction or they're causing some drying.

I was so fed up today that I've bought some Blephasol liquid to try.

Optase wipes are my only (nearly but not 100%) solution. But I would definitely consider swapping for a clean flannel every single time. I just have lots of cheapy ikea ones and wash after every use. Blepharitis and living green not v aligned sadly.

I've bought some cotton wool flat pads today to use instead of the flannels. I was worried about not using a clean one each time.

I’m no help, just offering my sympathy. I get flare ups as a side effect of a medication I have to take. I clean my eyes and use liberal amounts of thick eye drops at night when it flares and I manage to get through. my case is trivial in comparison to yours so I know you must be really miserable.

I have ongoing problems which had been diagnosed as dry eye syndrome. I have used most eye drops on the market.

Also would get a red eye which was diagnosed as infection and I would get antibiotics until one eye doc said no, it is Scleritis. It is basically an inflammatory thing. I take ibuprofen and it helps and a cold compress ( I had been doing warm compresses for dry eyes). It is liked to arthritis and possibly autoimmune stuff.

The poster who mentioned eye drops with ibuprofen- would welcome a name.

I would honestly use disposable for your eyes to rule out the possibility of pollen or other allergens getting on your flannels while they are drying.

Also note that lots of hypoallergenic laundry soap isn’t really all that hypoallergenic.

I also came on to say very diluted baby shampoo…this was recommended to me by the optician. Hope it eases for you soon, it’s bloody awful!

I'm surprised they haven't prescribed anything to clean your eyelids with, op.
I'm prescribed Blephasol lotion. It's a water like lotion to wipe/clean my eyelids along the roots of my eyelashes where the eye secretions get clogged up.
Apparently in blepharitis the secretions which normally coat your eyelashes gets too thick and causes a build up hence itchy swollen eyelids.
A warm compress/flannel or blephasol lotion unclog the little pores for a while and relieve the symptoms. It's something I have to do regularly to keep on top of it and it's quite manageable now.

I hope you find some relief soon, op. It sounds like you're going through it.

The thing that works for me ( together with all those things mentioned) is really strong fish oils. I use the (most expensive!) ones in boots, think they are minima?

I bought a heated eye mask designed to treat this. OMG it is heavenly! I wear it to sleep and it switches off after an hour (or however long you set it for). Helps unblock the ducts especially if you massage the eyelids.

@KissedintheDark that sounds like the one I've bought today. I got the disposable pads to use with it. The doctor said to just use warm water

@Mumzoo5070 what heated mask is that? I have a microwave one, but it doesn't stay hot for very long.

I’ve had Blephritis a lot in the past. My consultant told me to clean my eyelids with salt water - 1 tsp salt to 1 pint boiling water, then cooled. Definitely clean flannel or cotton wool every wash.

Silk Heated Eye Mask, PJYU Hot Eye Compress for Dry Eyes, Puffy Eyes, Blepharitis Treatment, Relieve Eye Strain, Styes Eye, MGD and Dry Eye Syndrome (Navy Blue) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08M9PZQCH/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_QBWTCAZJBQW885MKGRQT

My optician just told me I've got this and recommended soaking my eyelids in a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda 3 times a day to clear it up. I'm about to start and am really hoping it'll clear up. A bit worried as I know teen DD has been using my make-up on the sly (gross, I know), so hope it hasn't been passed on to her.

Can blepharitis cause a droopy eye lid? I'm at my wits end with my eye lid. It's droopy and I have no idea why. I've been told it's Horners with no reason, blepharitis, inflammation, ptosis .. and I've had it for 2 months now!

Help!

My DD had this a few years ago. It caused a large bump on her top eyelid and was so bad that she had to see an eye consultant who recommended bathing it morning and evening with very diluted Johnson’s baby shampoo.
We did this and it worked wonders very quickly.

It may be that you are one of those people (like me!) whose eyelids don't close properly, meaning that despite dry eye ointment your eyes get sore overnight. Try a regular silk eye mask (not the heavy, microwaveable sort) when you sleep: it helps to persuade your eyelids to close and cuts down the air drying your eyes - it's made a big difference for me.

I have diagnosed blepharitis as well. Its linked to rosacea, which I also have.

For my eyes, I occasionally use individual eye wipes, currently using Kamillosan.

I have found (I think) a link between my flare-ups and diet. Refined carbs make my eyes more irritated and I need to remind myself to stay hydrated as eyes will be affected.

I had blepharitis for a while a few years ago. I was going away to South America, including spending a week or so in the Amazon and was dreading managing the eye care faff under those circumstances. But a miracle happened- the blepharitis just disappeared while I was in the rainforest and didn't come back. My guess is it was to do with the combination of heat and humidity. So if I got it again, I think I'd try a steam room (not sauna).