Blepharitis is a common eyelid condition that is encountered in every age group.  It is simply an inflammation of the outer edge of the eyelids where the eyelashes originate. Crusts form on the eyelid margins and are continually flaking off. The edges of your eyelids may stay red much of the time and you can experience lots of irritation and foreign body sensation in the eye.  It can be caused by a number of infectious organisms, or related to seborrhea, a common condition of the skin and hair known as "dandruff". Sometimes it can be associated with "Rosacea", a condition of hyperacting sebaceous gland under the skin that leads to diffuse redness over the cheek, eyelids, forehead and the tip of the nose.  Rhinophyma, an irregular thickening of the skin of the nose is a characteristic finding of this disease.

Blepharitis may never totally go away but it can be controlled by regular eyelid cleaning and occasional prescription eye drops when it flare up.  The 3 steps of eyelid cleaning are as follows:

1.    Wash your hands with soap and water; rinse well and dry them.

2.    While looking in the mirror, moisten a cotton swab with warm tap water (adding a few drops of baby shampoo if prescribed) and gently "tease" and all the crusts from the edge of your eyelids and the eyelashes.  Do not pull the crusts off with your fingers, as this increases the risk of infection.  Be careful not to scratch you eye accidentally with the swab.

3.    When all the crusts are cleaned off:

Put 2 drops of your prescribed medication into each eye.  Do not wipe away the excess that runs out, but use another swab to rub it into the edge of the lid and eyelashes.  Let it dry there and remain all day. Don't wash it off.

If an ointment medication is prescribed, rub a thin layer into the eyelid margin with a cotton swab at night before going to bed.

Most people with dandruff-related blepharitis benefit from treating their scalp at the same time. If an anti-seborrhea shampoo has been prescribed as part of your treatment, use it on your scalp on the day you start using the eyedrop, and again one week later.  If you have crusts or flakes on your eyebrows, use the shampoo on your brows as well.  Do not use the shampoo on your eyelashes and be careful not to get it in your eyes.

It is not recommended to use Vaseline or other petrolatum ointment on the edge of your lids.  It does not help this condition and sometime make it worse.  If your Blepharitis is severe, especially with Rosacea, your doctor may prescribe you 1 to 2 week course of treatment with an oral antibiotics.  But regular cleaning of eyelids is still essential for management of symptoms