Blepharitis (red, gritty eyes)
Red, gritty, burning eyes with a ‘film’ over the vision are often due to problems with the health of the surface of the eye. This is extremely common.
Blepharitis is a condition which affects the quality of the tears. The tears are composed of watery, mucoid and oily components. If these components are out of balance then the tears become less stable leading to poor lubrication of the eye.
Blepharitis can occur due to chronic infection of the eyelid glands or due to abnormal secretions from these glands affecting the balance of the tear components.
Treatment options are targeted to address these issues and often include lid hygiene measures, drops and tablets.
I feel lid hygiene is best used frequently and is made part of you daily routine. I suggest taking some hot water from the tap onto your fingertips and then wiping the edges of your eyelids with your finger tips firmly to help squeeze the oil out the the glands. Lots of heat helps melt the oils and improves the effectiveness. This should be done frequently- whenever you shower, wash the dishes or even just see a hot tap. There are many other methods to clean the eyelids. These can include using cooled boiled water, baby shampoo, cotton wool, microwaveable eye compresses.....Many of these methods will probably achieve a more effective clean, but they are inconvenient and so I feel on balance, something quick and easy is a good compromise if done frequently.
There are many different types of lubricating eye drops available now. These can be variously classed as preserved vs preservative free and by their thickness. I will help find the one best suited to you. Lubricating eye ointment I usually advise to use just before you go to bed as it lubricates extremely well (and is non-preserved), but it does blur the vision.
Antibiotic tablets help change the composition of the gland secretions and change the bacteria that live in the eyelids too. These are usually well tolerated, but side effects such stomach upset and rashes can occur. This tablet is usually given at a low dose taken once a day for a long time (at least 3 months).
Blepharitis is a condition which affects the quality of the tears. The tears are composed of watery, mucoid and oily components. If these components are out of balance then the tears become less stable leading to poor lubrication of the eye.
Blepharitis can occur due to chronic infection of the eyelid glands or due to abnormal secretions from these glands affecting the balance of the tear components.
Treatment options are targeted to address these issues and often include lid hygiene measures, drops and tablets.
I feel lid hygiene is best used frequently and is made part of you daily routine. I suggest taking some hot water from the tap onto your fingertips and then wiping the edges of your eyelids with your finger tips firmly to help squeeze the oil out the the glands. Lots of heat helps melt the oils and improves the effectiveness. This should be done frequently- whenever you shower, wash the dishes or even just see a hot tap. There are many other methods to clean the eyelids. These can include using cooled boiled water, baby shampoo, cotton wool, microwaveable eye compresses.....Many of these methods will probably achieve a more effective clean, but they are inconvenient and so I feel on balance, something quick and easy is a good compromise if done frequently.
There are many different types of lubricating eye drops available now. These can be variously classed as preserved vs preservative free and by their thickness. I will help find the one best suited to you. Lubricating eye ointment I usually advise to use just before you go to bed as it lubricates extremely well (and is non-preserved), but it does blur the vision.
Antibiotic tablets help change the composition of the gland secretions and change the bacteria that live in the eyelids too. These are usually well tolerated, but side effects such stomach upset and rashes can occur. This tablet is usually given at a low dose taken once a day for a long time (at least 3 months).