What can i do to control my blepharitis??

Question

I was diagnosed with blepharitis about a year and a half ago and was given a steroid ointment to clear it up. That worked great for about a week but then, my poor eyes went right back to being itchy ALL THE TIME. Im constantly scratching at them to the point where its effecting everything. Ive almost gotten into car accidents on my way to work in the morning because im itching so much! I wake up in the morning and my eyes are practically crusted shut.

Since the ointment is a steroid which an cause glaucoma if used too often, what ELSE can i do to try and control this HUGe problem. Ive tried hot compresses, washing my eyes with baby shampoo, sanitizing/washing my hands constantly. Is there anything else i can do????

Answer 1

There are products called Sterilid and LidCare in Australia that are helpful for blepharitis - they may have a different name in other countries. Use them in conjunction with warm lid massage

Try improving your diet, and taking fish oil and flaxseed oil supplements.

If still no better see your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Answer 2

My suggestion would be to either return to yout ophthalmologist and ask these same questions, or go to a dermatologist and get their opinion. What you say you are doing to prmote healing is the same thing we reccomend to our patients. We recomend the lid scrubs with the baby shampoo as well. Make sure you are really getting the bast of your lashes well and not using too hot of water in your compresses. The ointment should be used in compliance with your Dr's orders and should be monitored by them to make sure you do not develope risidual side effects.  You might have allergies or a different kind of infection that what the steroid can handle. You really need another go and being looked at for this, as the first treatment is not working.

Answer 3

The lid scrubs (if done twice a day every day)help keep both blepharitis and dry eye at bay to a point.  I prefer hot water alone, baby shampoo dries out the skin.

Azasite is a new drop that has been showing promise in the treatment of blepharitis.  Ask your doctor about that.

A course of doxycline by mouth is sometimes beneficial as well.  

If none of these has been tried, ask your doctor.

Hope this helps.