What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the edge of the eyelids that, according to the affected area, we can divide into:

1. Anterior blepharitis: It is the outermost area, where the eyelashes are born.
2. Posterior blepharitis: This is the innermost area of the eyelid, where the meibomian glands are located.
3. Mixed blepharitis: This pathology affects about 30% of the population, being more frequent in women and, on many occasions, it is related to another ocular pathology such as dry eye.

What are the most frequent causes?

The main causes of blepharitis include the following:

1. Excess of fat on the ocular surface.
2. Malfunction of the meibomian glands.
3. Bacterial proliferation.
4. Infection caused by demodex (mite).

As for its symptoms, it is common to have a burning sensation and a foreign body in the eye, blurred vision, itching, congestion of the edge of the eyelids and one of the most characteristic is the loss of eyelashes.

Can it be prevented?

Blepharitis can be prevented by following daily hygiene guidelines. It is recommended to clean the edge of the eyelids on a regular basis, since this way we will be eliminating excess oil and bacteria from the edge of the eyelids and, at the same time, we will be reducing the possibility of suffering from this condition.

Treatment

There are several alternatives for the treatment of this ocular pathology, from the use of eyelid hygiene wipes, artificial tears, to the latest generation of therapeutic treatments such as microdermabrasion of the eyelid margin (Blephex). If you have any symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your ophthalmologist.