Blepharitis - Types, Causes, Symptoms And Signs Of Blepharitis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Blepharitis

Types, causes and symptoms of blepharitis

What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a whole group of different eye diseases. This disease manifests itself in the form of chronic inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, it is difficult to treat. The causative agent of this disease is Staphylococcus aureus. In children, blepharitis can be caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Types of blepharitis

There are 5 types of blepharitis:

Scaly blepharitis - otherwise this disease is called seborrhea. This type of blepharitis causes redness and thickening of the eyelids, itching, in addition to all this, the palpebral fissure narrows. The patient feels photophobia, with white and yellowish scales similar to dandruff at the base of the eyelashes. The patient suffers from severe itching, under the scales the skin is red, in some places the vessels are visible. The eyes are very irritated by light, dust, wind. By the end of the day, the eyes get very tired. If this disease is not treated, it continues for a very long time.

Ulcerative blepharitis. This type of blepharitis is much more difficult. Mostly schoolchildren and young people suffer from this disease. The symptoms are very similar to scaly blepharitis, but the pain is much worse. On the edges of the eyelids, crusts appear near the eyelashes, under the crusts - ulcers, from under which blood appears. Eyelashes sometimes fall out together with scales, pus is released from the bed of the eyelashes. Further, eyelashes may grow incorrectly, trichiasis or complete absence of eyelashes (baldness) occurs. It happens that cicatricial processes develop, sometimes even a volvulus of the eyelids. In more advanced cases, the inflammatory process of the eyelids passes to the conjunctiva, the cornea.

Angular blepharitis is characterized by the fact that inflammation is localized in the corners of the palpebral fissure. Foamy contents accumulate in the corners of the eyes, the eyelids thicken in this place, cracks and sores appear. This disease often affects adolescents.

Meibomian blepharitis affects the meibomian glands, which are located in the thickness of the cartilage of the eyelids. If you press on the eyelid, then a yellowish-white content is released. At the same time, the eyelids are thickened, with grayish-yellow crusts. Foamy-purulent contents accumulate in the corners of the eyes. Often this type of blepharitis is accompanied by conjunctivitis.

The causative agent of demodectic blepharitis is the Demodex mite, which lives in the eyelash follicles. They are infected with this disease mainly from birds or down and feathers that are contained in pillows and bedding, clothes, etc.

Blepharitis symptoms

The symptoms of blepharitis are very varied. Three forms of the disease are especially distinguished: simple blepharitis, ulcerative blepharitis and meibomian blepharitis. Simple blepharitis is considered the easiest. It manifests itself in the form of an ordinary inflammation of the eyelids.

It looks like this: the eyelid becomes inflamed and reddens, slightly swells. Usually, the patient does not experience any special painful sensations, only itching. In this case, there is a desire to rub or scratch the eye.

Signs of blepharitis:

- itchy eyes; - feeling of heaviness of the eyelids; - eyes get tired quickly; - severe photophobia; - The edges of the eyelids are red and swollen; - the skin of the eyelids is covered with scales and dandruff; - eyelashes fall out and grow incorrectly.

Causes of blepharitis

There are many reasons for blepharitis. However, the main ones are microbes and allergic reactions. It is they who become the culprits of inflammation. It is worth noting that many people are prone to allergy attacks and are exposed to microbes, but not everyone develops blepharitis.

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

The risk group includes people who eat poorly and irregularly, which leads to a lack of vitamins and minerals, as well as people suffering from anemia or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, who are systematically exposed to dust or smoke, etc. All of the above factors create the most favorable conditions for the development of the disease. Another very important aspect: there is a very high risk of developing blepharitis in people suffering from worms, caries.

Diagnostics

In order to diagnose blepharitis, a laboratory study of the cellular and microbial composition of the conjunctival scraping and the identification of microscopic Demodex mites in the roots of the eyelashes is necessary. Sometimes a simple examination of the eyelids and eyelashes using an ophthalmic microscope (slit lamp) is sufficient.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".