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Original poster

BLEPHARITIS - SECOND THREAD

12 replies

CriticalAlert · 14/04/2023 17:55

I had a really bad blepharitis flare up last weekend - of course over the Easter holiday. It was so bad that my left eye was oozing pus from top eyelid and it had swollen into an angry mass.

I managed to speak to my GP today. who prescribed 50mg Doxycycline antibiotics. SAID I SHOULD STAY ON THESE - ONE A DAY - LONG TERM - FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS. I am concerned as this seems to be a very long time to be on antibiotics and these tetracycline ones have side effects. Kill gut bacteria, can't get into the sun, sickness, vomiting etc.

I'd be grateful for people's opinion on this please. My doctor is trying to help, I totally understand this, but it seems like overkill? Is there any other way of treating this bloody horrible bloody blepharitis. I'm 68, never had anything like this before in my life, and the first instance happened in January this year.

I changed my night face cream last November to hypoallergenic Nivea - (I used to use Clinique but can't afford it now). I just wonder could this have triggered this reaction in my eye?

I really am at my wit's end. I know it's a petty issue but it's really upsetting me that I can't wear any eye make-up, and my eye looks so bad. So please let me have your views and advice.

OP posts:
Bananacake1977 · 14/04/2023 18:58

Hi, i can only offer some tips from my own journey (30 years of on/off blepharitus) and the best way ive found to keep it under control is washing the eye daily with a diluted mix of baby shampoo and warm water on a cotton ball. If the eye develops any kind of chalazion (as mine often does after a prolonged flare up) i use apple cider vinegar directly onto the chalazion (promise it works!!). Like you, i tried many many times the medicated route and it never helped. Good luck

Bananacake1977 · 14/04/2023 19:00

Sorry forgot to mention, only braggs organic apple cider vinegar! That's the one that works (applied directly with q tip)

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 14/04/2023 19:15

Bananacake1977 · 14/04/2023 19:00

Sorry forgot to mention, only braggs organic apple cider vinegar! That's the one that works (applied directly with q tip)

Thanks for your prompt response and advice, really very kind of you. I did commence the Johnsons Baby Shampoo treatment 10% solution in water, when my eyes started to itch a couple of weeks ago.....it seemed to sting my eyes and then made my left eye worse! Then I got the really bad flare up. I now this is a recommended treatment on NHS. I am beginning to wonder if this is blepharitis? i was diagnosed with it a year ago by a consultant optician at a hospital, so I suppose it must be? What do you think about the antibiotic route...I feel it's rather drastic THB. Thanks again.

OP posts:
AnneBerlin · 14/04/2023 19:25

Hi there,

I had blepharitis for over 2 years, you have my sympathies Sad

I was prescribed various drops and religiously did my "lid hygiene" - with baby shampoo, cider vinegar, tea tree, you name it
And NOTHING worked for longer than a month or so. At one point I had to have a chalazion cut out which was fun.

I was then prescribed 3 months of antibiotics. That was 18 months ago, and touch wood, I've been fine ever since! I had no noticeable ill effects and wasn't too careful about sunlight etc. I'd go for it, OP.

underneaththeash · 14/04/2023 21:08

OP is your GP absolutely sure that your symptoms are due to MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction).
If he is, then a course of tetracyclines can be really useful, although current thinking is for 6-8 weeks rather than 12.
the reason I ask is that you need to actual visualise the meibomian glands usually with a slit lamp and most doctors surgeries don’t have one.
omega -3 oils have shown some benefit too.

MGD:hot flannels/eye bag (5 mins) + massage. Dry eye drops. Plus omega 3 oils.
tetracyclines 6-8 weeks if not working.

there are other forms of blepharitis too though and if you have rosacea IPL can massively help.

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 15/04/2023 10:53

underneaththeash · 14/04/2023 21:08

OP is your GP absolutely sure that your symptoms are due to MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction).
If he is, then a course of tetracyclines can be really useful, although current thinking is for 6-8 weeks rather than 12.
the reason I ask is that you need to actual visualise the meibomian glands usually with a slit lamp and most doctors surgeries don’t have one.
omega -3 oils have shown some benefit too.

MGD:hot flannels/eye bag (5 mins) + massage. Dry eye drops. Plus omega 3 oils.
tetracyclines 6-8 weeks if not working.

there are other forms of blepharitis too though and if you have rosacea IPL can massively help.

Hi thanks for your considered message. Well the GP I spoke to has never seen me. He is relying upon me telling him that I was diagnosed with blepharitis last April, by a consultant optician at a hospital. So he's not sure this is MGD. I did see a GP last week about this and she gave me antibiotic eye drops and said if it flared up again I needed to be referred back to eye hospital. When I spoke to the other GP on phone yesterday I mentioned the referral but he didn't seem interested and wanted to go down the antibiotic route. Thinking about this, I'm going to call DP and press for a referral to eye hospital.
What's IPL by the way? I don't have rosacea.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
AnneBerlin · 15/04/2023 11:51

Do you have an eye casualty near you? My local one is amazing, I just ring them directly and they usually see me straight away! Or perhaps you could try getting a referral via 111.

underneaththeash · 15/04/2023 14:21

@CriticalAlert MGD diagnoses might have been on the original report though from the hospital. I’d ask the doctor, if they’re not sure, do ask fir a referral.
antibiotic drops can be useful in more anterior forms of blepharitis.

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 15/04/2023 14:30

underneaththeash · 15/04/2023 14:21

@CriticalAlert MGD diagnoses might have been on the original report though from the hospital. I’d ask the doctor, if they’re not sure, do ask fir a referral.
antibiotic drops can be useful in more anterior forms of blepharitis.

I really don't know I'm afraid. . I'm going to ask for a referral. Thanks for your help.

OP posts:
princesspenny · 15/04/2023 14:41

Hi OP, 3 months is the standard course of treatment with tetracycline . It's not your GP's opinion, they're following correct protocol for persistent blepharitis management

underneaththeash · 15/04/2023 20:58

princesspenny · 15/04/2023 14:41

Hi OP, 3 months is the standard course of treatment with tetracycline . It's not your GP's opinion, they're following correct protocol for persistent blepharitis management

That’s not correct it’s changed. It’s 6-8 weeks. I’m not sure if management guidelines haven’t been changed yet, but that’s current recommendation (evidence based - Moorfields/Western Eye)

kissthegirlshesnotbehindthedoor · 15/04/2023 21:37

I had three months on a tetracycline for Blepharotia, totally fine. 10 years ago, presecribed by a consultant.

Hot compresses and tea tree oil face wash has kept mine at bay since.

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