Blepharitis

Patient Information Sheet provided by the Oxford Eye Hospital

What is Blepharitis?

• Blepharitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the edge of the eye lids.
• The cause is often unknown.
• Prolonged treatment may be required before it is effective.
• The condition can recur.

Signs and symptoms

• Red, inflamed eyelids
• Crusting around the eye lashes
• Itching and discomfort

Treatment

Using a 'no tears' baby shampoo or bicarbonate of soda make up a cleansing solution as follows:

• Place one teaspoon of baby shampoo or a pinch of bicarbonate of soda
  in a cup of boiled water.
• Allow to cool and make sure the bicarbonate of soda has dissolved

Method

• Dip a clean cotton bud in the solution and rub the base of the eye lashes quite firmly to remove the crustiness. Use at new cotton wool bud for each eye.
• Repeat every morning and evening, unless otherwise instructed by the nurse or doctor.
  

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