What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the eyelids and eyelashes and causes a buildup of scurf, debris and bacterial toxins at the base of the eyelashes. It can be uncomfortable but it isn’t contagious, and it usually doesn’t cause any lasting damage to your eyes.
Blepharitis can affect anyone of any age.
Blepharitis can be anterior or posterior.
- Anterior blepharitis. A buildup of scurf, debris and bacterial toxins at the front edge of the eyelid, where the eyelashes join it.
- Posterior blepharitis. An inflammation caused by anterior blepharitis causes the eyelid tissue where the meibomian tear glands reside to become thick and swollen, preventing healthy oils from being released into the tears. It is also known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
This causes significant symptoms of burning, itching, dry eyes, and general eye discomfort. MGD traps bacterial toxins at the lid margin causing more anterior blepharitis and a continuous vicious cycle of inflammation is formed.
Treatments
BlephEx
Electrochemical lid margin debridement
The BlephEx™ treatment is a precise, safe and effective way to clean and exfoliate your eyelids and eyelashes to relieve symptoms of blepharitis.
Lipiflow
Thermal pulsation treatment
By combining gentle massage and heat, this melts any material that is obstructing the Meibomian glands and improves gland secretions.
ThermaeyePlus® IPL
Intense pulse light therapy
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment utilizes pulses of light to constrict blood vessels and liquefy and release hardened oils that have clogged Meibomian glands in the eyelids