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Definition of blepharitis

What is a blepharitis ?
 
Recognizing a blepharitis
 

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the free edge of the eyelid which can spread to all eyelids.
 
Symptoms of blepharitis are:
 
  • A redness and swelling of the eyelid, with small scabs on the skin and at the root of the eyelashes
  • Pain or itching of the eyelids

Other ocular signs are often associated: eye redness, sensations of grains of sand, burning, itching and/or secretions.

 

Different types of blepharitis
 
  • Anterior blepharitis: this blepharitis affects the outer part of the eyelids: the skin and eyelashes. Also, the eyelid is red, swollen often with small scabs at the root of the eyelashes. 
  • Posterior blepharitis: this blepharitis affects the rim and the inside of the eyelid, which is in contact with the eye, and the Meibomian glands that are there. In this case, white dots, or styes or chalazions may appear on the edge of the eyelids.
  • Anterior and posterior blepharitis: this type of blepharitis affects both: the external part and the edge of the eyelid.
 
Blepharitis often affects both eyes at the same time. In some cases, blepharitis is associated with chalazions, styes and/or to dry eye.
 
 

More information about blepharitis:

 

The Dr.Alex Shortt opinion
 
 
What is blepharitis?
 
 
 
What are the different types of blepharitis?
 
 
 
Read more about Dr.Alex Shortt:
 
 
 
[i] 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS). The Ocular Surface 2007; 5(2) / http://www.tearfilm.org/dewsreport/pdfs/TOS-0502-DEWS-noAds.pdf