Blepharitis is a common eye condition that can cause discomfort and interfere with vision. By knowing what symptoms to watch for and when to seek care, you can take proactive steps to maintain your eye and vision health.
Keep reading to learn more about 9 signs your blepharitis needs professional treatment.
1. Swollen Eyelids
Are you wondering why your eyelids are swollen and puffy? The reason behind your symptoms could be blepharitis.
Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids. It can occur when the Meibomian glands at the base of your eyelashes become blocked, resulting in irritation and swollen eyelids.
The swelling is usually more noticeable in the morning when you wake up. Without treatment, blepharitis symptoms can become chronic and progressively worsen.
If your eyelids appear swollen, you should visit your eye doctor at Jacksonville Eye Center to get to the root of your symptoms and find a lasting solution.
2. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are a common sign of blepharitis. Your eyes may feel gritty, uncomfortable, and irritated.
If your eyes are constantly dry and interfere with your day-to-day activities like reading, driving, and using your computer, it’s time to see your eye doctor. While blepharitis could be the culprit behind your dry eyes, many other conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, can mimic these symptoms.
An accurate diagnosis by a professional is crucial for receiving proper treatment and finding relief.
3. Greasy Eyelids
With blepharitis, your eyelids may appear sticky or greasy, especially in the morning. This can be due to the excess production of oils by your Meibomian glands.
If you’re experiencing greasy eyelids due to blepharitis, undergoing treatment at Jacksonville Eye Center can help improve the health, comfort, and appearance of your eyes.
4. Eyelash Loss
The loss of a few eyelashes from time to time is normal. They often fall out and regrow in days.
However, rapid lash loss could signal blepharitis. With time, the overgrowth of bacteria may create a sticky plaque called biofilm along your eyelids and cause lash loss.
Blepharitis may also cause your eyelashes to be misdirected or grow abnormally due to inflammation or scarring. Loss of eyelash color might also occur.
If your eyelashes are falling out quickly and aren’t growing back, you should book an appointment with your eye doctor.
5. Crusty Eyelashes and Eyelids
While some eye crust is normal, particularly in the morning, having too much of it could indicate blepharitis. Blepharitis can cause scaly or flakey crusting along your lashes and lids.
The crustiness occurs when discharge from your eyes dries on your lashes and eyelid base. Sometimes, blepharitis is caused by excess bacteria on your eyelids.
These bacteria usually live on your eyelids, but if they proliferate too much, they can cause crusts or tiny, dandruff-like flakes at the bottom of your lashes. If you have persistent crusty discharge on your lash line, it’s essential to consult with your eye doctor.
6. Constantly Red Eyes
Eye redness is a classic symptom of blepharitis. Your eyelids can turn red as a result of constant irritation.
The whites of your eyes can also become bloodshot if the small blood vessels underneath the eye’s surface are dilated or inflamed due to irritation. Red eyes can also indicate other conditions like conjunctivitis, so attending an eye exam with your eye doctor at Jacksonville Eye Center is important to determine the cause of your symptoms.
7. Blurred or Fluctuating Vision
Is your vision fuzzy and out of focus? Blepharitis could be to blame.
With blepharitis, your vision could be sharp one moment and hazy the next. You may have to blink repeatedly to see clearly.
Blurred vision with blepharitis occurs due to changes in your tear film. A healthy tear film is vital for clear vision.
It consists of the oily, mucus, and watery layers that work together to keep your eyes lubricated and your vision crisp and sharp. Typically, the three layers create a smooth surface over your eye, which allows light to pass through and focus sharply on the retina for clear vision.
However, when the Meibomian glands become clogged due to blepharitis and don’t secrete the oils needed to prevent rapid evaporation, your tear film may break down and become uneven. The irregular surface can scatter incoming light instead of focusing it correctly on your retina, resulting in blurred or fluctuating vision.
Impaired vision can not only be a hassle to deal with but can also be dangerous during tasks like driving, cooking, or physical activity. Seeking professional care with your eye doctor can help prevent potential injuries and improve your vision so you can do all of your favorite activities with confidence and clarity.
8. Frequent Eye Infections
Blepharitis can become severe and make you more susceptible to repeated eye infections, such as pink eye or conjunctivitis. This is because inflammation and irritation to your eyelids experienced during blepharitis can also spread to your conjunctiva.
Conjunctivitis can be contagious and cause frustrating symptoms like pink or red eyes, irritation, and discharge from the eyes. Some forms of pink eye require medical treatment to clear up, so you should see your eye doctor if you’re noticing repeated instances of pink eye-like symptoms.
9. Over-the-Counter Treatments Don’t Provide Relief
Blepharitis can be managed with over-the-counter products such as artificial tears and at-home remedies like warm compresses. If your symptoms are severe or persist despite trying these options, it’s best to see your eye doctor.
If left untreated, blepharitis can progressively worsen, leading to complications such as chalazion, stye, and tear film issues. In severe cases, keratitis or corneal ulcers might develop.
Seeing an experienced ophthalmologist can offer a lasting solution to prevent further inflammation and complications and alleviate your symptoms.
Get Relief from Blepharitis
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms of blepharitis, the expert eye doctors at Jacksonville Eye Center can help. After a correct diagnosis, we can provide best-in-class blepharitis treatment so you can get back to seeing everything around you with clear, comfortable, and healthy eyes.
Do you suspect you may have blepharitis? Schedule an appointment at Jacksonville Eye Center in Jacksonville, FL, today to get the relief you need and deserve!