Blepharitis Flashcards
Define blepharitis.
Inflammation of the eyelid margin that affects the eye lashes or tear production.
What are the infectious causes of blepharitis?
- Bacterial: Staphylococci (most common causative pathogen)
- Viral: Herpes simplex, varicella zoster
- Fungal: Molluscum contagiosum
- Parasitic: Demodex eyelash mites
Define anterior blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis: inflammation of the anterior margin of the eyelids, involving the skin, eyelashes, and follicles. It can further be classified into staphylococcal and seborrheic.
Describe the pathophysiology of blepharitis.
The pathophysiology of blepharitis frequently involves bacterial colonization of the eyelids.
This results in direct microbial invasion of tissues, immune system–mediated damage, or damage caused by the production of bacterial toxins, waste products, and enzymes.
Colonization of the lid margin is increased in the presence of seborrheic dermatitis or meibomian gland dysfunction.
Give 4 risk factors of blepharitis.
- Poor eye hygiene
- Wearing contact lenses
- Not removing makeup thoroughly
- Having oily skin
- Having allergies
- Having rosacea
Define posterior blepharitis.
Posterior blepharitis: inflammation of the posterior margin of the eyelids; associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and/or obstruction (meibomitis) as well as abnormalities of the tarsal plate.
Give 5 signs and symptoms of blepharitis.
- Chronic or recurrent red, swollen eyelids and irregular eyelid margins
- Burning sensation
- Tearing
- Itchiness
- Grittiness or foreign body sensation
- Photophobia and blurred vision
- Madarosis, poliosis and trichiasis
What does LIGHTS stand for?
Loss of eyelashes
Itchy eyelids-irritation
Grittiness
ligHt sensitivity
excess Tears
Scales on lid margin
How is blepharitis diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
Give 5 differential diagnosis for blepharitis.
Infections
- Bacterial: Impetigo, erysipelas
-Viral: Herpes simplex, varicella zoster
Dermatoses
- psoriasis, dermatitis
Malignant eyelid tumors
- Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma
Other ophthalmological conditions
-Ocular rosacea, Bacterial keratitis, pre-septal cellulitis, conjunctivitis, stye, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
How is blepharitis managed?
General
- Eyelid hygiene (Mainstay treatment)
Medical
- Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, Bacitracin, Azithromycin.
- Oral antibiotics: Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Azithromycin
- Topical steroids like glucocorticoids (in cases of severe inflammation)
Name 3 therapeutic procedures used in blepharitis.
- BlephEx treatment (electromechanical lid margin debridement)
- Thermal pulsation treatment e.g. LipiFlow
- Intense Pulsed light (IPL)
Give 4 complications of blepharitis.
Conjunctivitis
Chalazion
Marginal keratitis
Ectropion
Entropion
Recurrence
