Blepharitis is an inflammation of your eyelids. It can make your eyelids red and eyelashes crusty and make your eyes feel irritated or sore. It can also lead to burning, itching or stinging in your eyes. The condition is not usually serious, but can lead to other problems, such as styes, ulcers and conjunctivitis if it’s not treated. You may find your eyelids become puffy. The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning and when you wake up.
Blepharitis is a chronic (long-term) condition. This means that once you have had it, it can come back even after it has cleared up. It normally affects both eyes. You can usually treat it by keeping your eyelids clean. You may need to do this for several months, or need ongoing treatment to make your eyes comfortable.
Sometimes, anterior blepharitis and MGD occur together. This is called mixed blepharitis.
Blepharitis is a chronic (long-term) condition. This means that once you have had it, it can come back, even after it has cleared up.
Blepharitis is more common in people aged over 50, but it can develop at any age. As you get older, the meibomian glands in your eyelids become blocked more easily, and your eyes can feel gritty and dry. This means that older people are more likely to have blepharitis.
You are more likely to develop blepharitis if you have:
The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning and you may find your lids are stuck together when you wake up. Other symptoms include:
It is possible to make your eyes more comfortable but in most cases blepharitis cannot be fully cured.
If you have blepharitis, you should avoid smoky atmospheres and eye make-up, such as eyeliner and mascara.
These work by melting the blocked material in the meibomian glands and loosening the crusts on the eyelid. This makes them easier to remove. Warm compresses come in a variety of forms, such as a warming pad or pack that heats in the microwave.
Warm compresses can be made at home – soak a clean flannel, cotton-wool ball or something similar in hot (not boiling) water and squeeze off the excess. Whichever warm compress you use, place it on the edge of your closed eyelids for around five minutes. While on the eyelids, gently rock or massage the warm compress. This will soften the material in the glands and loosen the crusts. You can then clean your lids.
You should use a separate clean compress for each eye.
There are different ways of cleaning your eyelids to remove the crusts from your eyelashes. Your optometrist will be able to advise you on which option is suitable for you.
Gently clean the edges of your eyelids near your lashes. Wipe from the inside (near your nose) to the outside corner of your eye. You can try to
clean behind the lashes (the meibomian glands), but not the inside edge, by gently pulling away the eyelids from the eye. Repeat this twice a day at first and reduce this to once a day as the condition improves. You may need special cleaning treatments to help remove crusts or infestations from your eyelids and lashes. Your optometrist or eye doctor will tell you if these are suitable for you.
If warm compresses and cleaning do not work, your optometrist or eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment or tablets. They will tell you how long to use these for. If you need to take antibiotic tablets you may need to take these for several weeks or months and the benefits may last for some months after you finish the treatment.
Last reviewed: November 2024