Blepharitis
Medical Author: Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is the medical term for inflammation of the eyelids. The word
"blepharitis" is derived from the Greek word blepharos, which means "eyelid," and
the Greek suffix itis, which is typically used to denote an inflammation in
English. Inflammation is a general term used to describe the process by which
white blood cells and chemicals produced in the body protect us from foreign
substances, injury, or infection. The normal body response of inflammation
involves varying degrees of swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and change in
function. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, causing red, irritated,
itchy eyelids, and the formation of dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes. It is
a very common eye disorder with a wide variety of causes. It affects people of
all ages. Although it may be uncomfortable, annoying, or unattractive, blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause any permanent damage
to eyesight. The condition can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur.
Another term for blepharitis is granulated eyelids. Angular blepharitis is a
term used to describe blepharitis which primarily affects the outer corners of
the eyelids.
What causes blepharitis?
Blepharitis involves the eyelid margins, where the eyelashes grow and the
openings of the tiny oil glands near the base of the lashes are located. There
may be involvement of the outer edges of the eyelid margins adjacent to the skin
or/and the inner edge of the eyelid that comes into contact with the eyeball.
Changes in the skin of the eyelids or the surface of the eye itself are usually
secondary to the underlying disorder of the lid margins.
The cause of most cases of blepharitis is a malfunction of the oil glands of
the lids. There are about 40 of these glands in each of the upper and lower
lids. When these oil glands produce too much, too little, or the wrong types of
oils, the eyelid margins can become inflamed, irritated, and itchy. Acne rosacea,
a generalized illness of oil glands, is sometimes the underlying cause of this
process.
There are some types of blepharitis that are due to disorders of the lid
margin around the lashes. These include seborrheic blepharitis, which is similar
to dandruff of the scalp, and infection of the lash base by Staphylococcal
bacteria.
Allergies can also cause blepharitis. These include sensitivities to
substances coming into direct contact with the lid margins, including mascara
and contact lens solutions. Various sprays, exposure to animals, environmental
chemicals, or airborne allergens can also cause blepharitis.
Less commonly, inflammation of the lids can be caused by a primary infection
of the eyelids by bacteria or infestation of the lashes by tiny mites or head
lice.
Blepharitis may also be caused by systemic (affecting areas throughout the
body) medical conditions or skin cancers of various types.
Next: What are the symptoms and signs of blepharitis? »
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