BLEPHARITIS; is a common eye condition characterized by often chronic inflammation of the eyelid, generally the part where eyelashes grow. It generally presents when very small oil glands near the base of the eyelashes don't function properly, resulting in inflamed, irritated, itchy, and reddened eyelids.
It is typically caused by excess growth ofbacteria that is ordinarily found on the skin, blockage of the eyelid's oil glands, and sometimes allergies. A number of diseases and conditions can lead to blepharitis.
The severity and time course of it can vary. Onset can be acute, resolving without treatment within 2–4 weeks (this can be greatly reduced with lid hygiene), but more generally is a long-standing inflammation varying in severity.
It may be classified as seborrhoeic, staphylococcal, mixed, posterior or meibomitis, or parasitic..It may be a chronic condition that is difficult to treat, though it usually does not cause permanent damage.
Blepharitis is many times a chronic condition, which is difficult to treat..It does not often disappear entirely,and even successful treatment is often followed by relapses.
The single most important treatment principle is a daily routine of lid margin hygiene, as described below..Self-care measures can for most people be the only treatment necessary;Such a routine needs to be convenient enough to be continued for life to avoid relapses as blepharitis is often a chronic condition. But it can be acute, and one episode does not mean it is a lifelong condition.
Artificial tears..Lubricating eyedrops orartificial tears,available over-the-counter,may help relieve dry eyes..Antibiotics(at the discretion of a physician):To reduce lid margin bacteria to help control blepharitis caused by a bacterial infection,antibiotics such as erythromycin orsulfacetamide may be used via eyedrops,cream or ointments on the eyelid margin,or pillsIf used by cream or ointment,after lid margin cleaning, spread small amount of prescription antibiotic ophthalmic ointment with finger tip along lid fissure while eyes closed, using prior to bedtime to avoid blurry vision...Steroid eyedrops/ointments. Eyedrops or ointments containing steroids such astestosterone, sometimes combined with antibiotics, can help control eye and eyelid inflammation for short treatmentsTreat underlying conditions..Blepharitis caused by seborrheic dermatitis,rosacea,or other diseases may be controlled by treating the underlying disease..
STYES; form on the outside of the lids and can be seen as small red bumps. Internal styes are infections of the meibomian sebaceous glands lining the inside of the eyelids..They also cause a red bump underneath the lid with only generalized redness and swelling visible on the outside. Styes are similar to chalazia, but they tend to be smaller and more painful, and they usually don't cause any lasting damage..They contain water and pus, and the bacteria will spread if the stye is forcefully ruptured. Styes are characterized by an acute onset and usually short in duration (7–10 days without treatment)compared to chalazia,which are chronic and usually do not resolve without intervention..Styes are usually caused by theStaphylococcus aureus bacterium.
The first sign of a stye is a small, yellowish spot at the center of the bump that develops as pus expands in the area.
Other stye symptoms may include:
A lump on the top or bottom eyelid localized swelling of the eyelid localized pain RednessTenderness Crusting of the eyelid margins Burning in the eyeDroopiness of the eyelid Scratchy sensation on the eyeball(itching)Blurred vision Mucous discharge in the eyeIrritation of the eye..Light sensitivityTearing Discomfort during blinking Sensation of a foreign body in the eye.
Medical treatment can also be provided by a doctor and it is aimed at relieving the symptoms..Pain relievers such asacetaminophen may be prescribed and in some cases,antibiotics may be needed..Antibiotics are normally given to patients with multiple styes or with styes that do not seem to heal.
STYES; form on the outside of the lids and can be seen as small red bumps. Internal styes are infections of the meibomian sebaceous glands lining the inside of the eyelids..They also cause a red bump underneath the lid with only generalized redness and swelling visible on the outside. Styes are similar to chalazia, but they tend to be smaller and more painful, and they usually don't cause any lasting damage..They contain water and pus, and the bacteria will spread if the stye is forcefully ruptured. Styes are characterized by an acute onset and usually short in duration (7–10 days without treatment)compared to chalazia,which are chronic and usually do not resolve without intervention..Styes are usually caused by theStaphylococcus aureus bacterium.
The first sign of a stye is a small, yellowish spot at the center of the bump that develops as pus expands in the area.
Other stye symptoms may include:
A lump on the top or bottom eyelid localized swelling of the eyelid localized pain RednessTenderness Crusting of the eyelid margins Burning in the eyeDroopiness of the eyelid Scratchy sensation on the eyeball(itching)Blurred vision Mucous discharge in the eyeIrritation of the eye..Light sensitivityTearing Discomfort during blinking Sensation of a foreign body in the eye.
Medical treatment can also be provided by a doctor and it is aimed at relieving the symptoms..Pain relievers such asacetaminophen may be prescribed and in some cases,antibiotics may be needed..Antibiotics are normally given to patients with multiple styes or with styes that do not seem to heal,and to patients who also suffer fromblepharitis or rosacea..Commonly, the ophthalmologist or optometrist prescribes oral or intravenous antibiotics, such asdoxycycline,only when the infection has spread..Topical antibiotic ointments or antibiotic/steroid combination ointments can also be administered in stye treatment.
Surgery is the last resort in stye treatment..Styes that do not respond to any type of therapies are usually surgically removed..Stye surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist,and generally under local anesthesia..The procedure consists of making a small incision on the inner or outer surface of the eyelid, depending if the stye is pointing externally or not;After the incision is made,the pus is drained out of the gland,and very small and unnoticeable sutures are used to close the lesion..It is common for the removed stye to be sent for histopathological examination to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.
XANTHELASMA:(or xanthelasma palpebrarum) is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or around theeyelids..While they are neither harmful norpainful,these minor growths may be disfiguring and can be removed;They are common in people of Asian origin and those from the Mediterranean region.
Because of the hereditary component, they may or may not indicate high blood levels of cholesterol. Where there is no family history of xanthelasmata,they usually indicate high cholesterol and may correlate with a risk ofatheromatous disease.
A xanthelasma may instead be referred to as a xanthoma when becoming larger and nodular, assuming tumorous proportions..Still,xanthelasma is often classified simply as a subtype of xanthoma.
Xanthelasmata can be removed with atrichloroacetic acid peel, surgery,lasers orcryotherapy..Removal may cause scarring and pigment changes, but it is an uncommon side-effect of treatment.
