Blepharitis is a common eye condition that mainly affects your eyelids making it swollen, red, irritated, and itchy. Blepharitis is not a contagious condition and does not usually cause lasting damage in your eyes, especially if you treat it immediately.

Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center have the best eye doctor in Brooklyn that can help you deal with any eye condition. To know more about the different eye conditions, its symptoms, causes and treatments, contact us at Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of blepharitis often come and go. Common symptoms can include:

• Burning or stinging feeling in your eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• A gritty feeling in your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Red and swollen eyes or eyelids
• Dry eyes
• Crusty eyelids upon waking up

Your blepharitis can cause serious problem if left untreated, such as:

• Eyelashes that fall off
• Vision that becomes blurry
• Eyelashes that grow in different direction
• Swelling in other parts of your eyes, like your cornea

Causes

Bacteria in the skin normal but if too many bacteria can cause problems. Blepharitis is caused by too many bacteria on your eyelids or at the base of your eyelashes. Also, you can have blepharitis if your eyelid’s oil glands are clogged and irritated.  Blepharitis can also be caused by a skin condition such as seborrheic dermatitis.

You can also be at risk of developing blepharitis if you have the following:

• Flaky patches on your scalp or face; dandruff
• If you have a skin condition that causes redness and bump on your face, such as rosacea
• Allergies that usually affects your eyelashes
• If you have oily skin

Treatment

Cleaning your eyes can help speed up the healing process of your blepharitis.

1. Soak a clean cotton wool cloth in warm water
2. Place it on your closed eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes
3. Massage your eyelids gently for about 30 seconds
4. Clean your eyelid using the cotton wool cloth or use a cotton bud. (You can dilute a small amount of baby shampoo in the water)
5. Wipe the edges of your eyelids to remove any flakes or crusts.

If your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of cleaning your eyes, consult an ophthalmologist or a primary care physician so you will be provided with a medical attention for your blepharitis. Your doctor can suggest you use an antibiotic cream or ointment that you can use on your eyelids.

If your blepharitis is severe, or if it comes with other eye problems or you have other symptoms, please consult your ophthalmologist immediately.

Blepharitis doesn’t usually go away completely but there are ways and routines that you can follow to help you manage your symptoms.

If you experience any symptoms of blepharitis, contact our ophthalmologist in Brooklyn to immediately schedule for an appointment. There is no substitute for the quality of life that a good vision can offer. So, taking care of your eye health is very important. Our team at the ophthalmology department can assist you with your condition. You can visit Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, visit our website at http://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com/, or call 1-347-384-5690 to schedule an appointment.