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Blepharitis

Types, causes and symptoms of blepharitis

What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a group of various eye diseases. This disease manifests itself in the form of chronic inflammation of the edges century, the treatment of it is difficult. The causative agent of this disease is Staphylococcus aureus. In children, blepharitis may be caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis.


Types of blepharitis

Distinguishes 5 types of blepharitis:

Scaly blepharitis – otherwise this disease called seborrhea. This kind of blepharitis causes reddening and thickening of the eyelids, itching, in addition, eye gap narrows. The patient feels photophobia, with the base of the eyelashes appear white and yellowish flakes similar to dandruff. The patient suffers from a severe itch under the scales the skin is red, sometimes visible blood vessels. Eye much annoying light, dust, wind. By the end of the day eyes are tired. If this disease is not treated, it lasts a very long time.

Ulcerative blepharitis. Leaking this type of blepharitis is more serious. Suffer from this disease mainly schoolchildren and young people. The symptoms are very similar to the scaly blepharitis, but the pain is much stronger. At the edges of the eyelids near the eyelashes appear crusts under crusts of the sores, from under which blood acts. Along with scales, there are occasionally lashes out of bed eyelashes pus. Then the eyelashes may grow incorrectly, it happens trichiasis or complete absence of the eyelashes (alopecia). Sometimes develop scar processes, sometimes even entropion. In more advanced cases, inflammation of the eyelids goes to the conjunctiva, the cornea.

Angular blepharitis is characterized by inflammation localized to the corners of the eye slit. In the corners of the eyes accumulated frothy contents, forever in this place thicken, cracks and sores. This disease often affects teenagers.

Meibomian blepharitis affects meibomian glands, which are located in the thick cartilage century. If you press on the lid, then excreted a yellowish-white contents. The eyelids are thickened with grayish-yellow crusts. In the corners of the eyes accumulated penisto-purulent contents. Often this type of blepharitis is accompanied by conjunctivitis.

The causative agent of Demodex blepharitisand Demodex is a mite that lives in the follicles of the eyelashes. Catch the disease mainly from birds or feathers contained in the pillow and bedding, clothing, etc.


The symptoms of blepharitis

Symptoms of blepharitis are very diverse. Particularly, there are three forms of the disease: simple blepharitis, ulcerative blepharitis and meibomitis. The easiest is considered as a simple blepharitis. It is manifested in the form of ordinary inflammation of the eyelids.

It looks like this: inflamed and red eyelids, slightly swollen. Usually much pain the patient is experiencing only itching. This raises the desire to RUB or scratch your eyes.


Signs of blepharitis:

- itching in the eyes;
- feeling of heaviness of the eyelids;
- eyes tire quickly;
- severe photophobia;
- eyelids are red and swollen;
- eyelid skin is covered with scales, and dandruff;
- eyelashes fall out and grow correctly.

The causes of blepharitis

Causes of blepharitis a lot. However, the main of them are germs and allergic reactions. They become the culprits of inflammation. You should pay attention that many people are prone to Allergy attacks and be exposed to germs, but blepharitis does not develop for everyone.

The question arises: why? As it turned out, the most important factor in the development of the disease are different diseases of the eye. It could be chronic conjunctivitis, and severe visual impairment.

The risk group also includes people who eat badly and irregularly, which leads to lack of vitamin and minerals, and people suffering from anemia or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, exposed to systematic exposure to dust or smoke, etc. All the above factors create the most favorable conditions for the development of the disease. Another very important aspect: very high risk of getting blepharitis in people suffering from worms, tooth decay.


Diagnosis

To diagnose blepharitis, it is necessary laboratory testing of cellular and microbial composition of a scraping of the conjunctiva and identification of microscopic Demodex mites in the eyelash roots. Sometimes a simple examination of the eyelids and eyelashes, using the ophthalmic microscope (slit lamp).