Blepharitis - Not Going Away!!!

Posted , 8 users are following.

To cut a long story shirt, I've been having problems with my eyes since May and has been prescribed every drop possible from hay fever to infected eye. 

I went to A&E 4 days ago and was seen by an opthamologist who said I have Blepharitis. 

I was given artificial teat drops to use and told to use baby shampoo and warm water to clean the eye lids with a cotton bud.

I'm still suffering - sensitive to light, gritty burning eyes. 

I'm at my wits end.  Please hero? ?

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Apologies for the spelling mistakes!!
  • Posted

    No need to apologize,, I'm the worst typist. My vision is bad.

    there r other DISCUSSON go using WETT ONES for whipping eyes over a period of a few weeks formally stops it.. 

    Do a Search on discussions to locate it for more info. So mant saied it help..

  • Posted

    Hi Kitty - I've been suffering from Bletharitis for over a year and it's the worst at nights.  The pain when I don't blink is awful.  Anyway I've tried the baby shampoo but that didn't work and also the Wet Ones wipes.  But my Dr prescribed Lacrilube which helped at night.  The one thing that has really helped me is something that someone on here suggested (sorry can't just remember who is was) - is the Optrex Refreshing Eye drops 'for tired eyes' which is written on a GREEN strip on the front.  These drops contain Benzalthomium Chloride (think that's how you spell it) and I must say that's helped better than anything.  I'm not using the Lacrilube at night any more and although I still feel a bit prickly it's nothing compared to months ago.   Keep listening to the people on here - they really know what they are talking about and one of the suggestions will suit you.  All the best, Judith.
  • Posted

    Sorry Kitty you are suffering wth blepharitis.  I know only too well what it's like having suffered for many years.  First thing to say is that treatment ie cleaning with baby shampoo can take many weeks for you to really notice an improvement.  You do have to be patient. I myself used to use shampoo  but always found it a bit harsh.  I now use 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed into cup of cooled boiled water.  I find it much better.  Really clean the eyelids where the lashes are make sure you get rid of all the flaky bits etc, I also like to dip a cotton wool makeup pad into the solution and wipes all over lids.  You mention light senstivity, gritty burning eyes.  I have had all of these Has it been suggested to you by the opthalmologist that you make have blocked glands and

    that you might need to hot  compresses and massge of the eyelids prior to the cleaning to dissolve the oils and spread it into eye.  I have not described very well.  This would help with dry eye as well as the drops.

    This might not be relevant to you.  Notone thing suits all, you have to find a regime that works for you.  It is a long term condition although some on here have completely cured it.  Check out other posters for advice.  Good luck.

     

  • Posted

    Thank you everyone it's really good to know I'm not alone!

    It's difficult because I work & also need to drop my 2 year old off at nursery on the morning but ice nit been able to drive thus week with my eyes being SO sensitive to light 

  • Posted

    Hi Kitty

    I have been struggling with this as my whole face seems to be affected aswell, i have been following cleaning regime which is quite harsh on eye lids at the moment i am trying vagisal femine wash as recommended by someone which seems to be helping at the moment.  I have been put on antihistamines and this other tablet montelukast which hasnt helped as much as my gp thought so he has referred me to the allergy clinic.  I have also bee prescribed optive eyedrops as i think i had a reaction to systane balance and clinitas.  I have just finished another course of steroids so watch this space for once i recognise my reflection in the mirror which i havent done since the end of may.  I will let you know how i get on with the allergy clinic when my appointment comes through.

  • Posted

    Dear Kitty,

    A friend who used a antibacterial facial scrub with Benzethonium Chloride in it killed her blepharitis. I could could not find that product made with the Benzethonium Chloride any longer so looked on line to find out what other products had that in it.

    I ended up using the WET ONES, antibacterial hand wipes with Benzethonium Chloride in them.

    Honjon, on this site, used the hand wipes with Benzalkonium Chloride in them (ones sold in the UK) and he had the same results.

    I was desperate. After I killed and started posting about it I ended up researching why they killed it.

    The Blepharitis I had was caused by staphylococcus. These wipes both the US and UK ones kill stahylococcus.

    I was able to wear mascara and kill it at the same time. It involved throw away wands (bought on internet) and all new makeup.  I never put a used wand in the new mascara and used 2 for each application. One for each eye.

    I used 2 wash cloths (white to put in the bleach load) when cleaning my eyes. Did not want to reinfect.

    I tore each hand wipe into 8 sections and used 4 on each eye. Cleaning the eyelash and lid margins 2 times. I did that for 4 times a day for about a week.

    I had a terrible itching problem. Went down to 3 times a day for about a month. After that, it was easy as only 2 times a day for a couple of months.

    Just make sure you are not allergic to shampoos, detergents, fabric softeners or even spermicida jellies or hand wipes.

    Hope this infor helps you as I know how miserable you feel.

    Thinking of you,

    Lynda79

  • Posted

    Poor Kitty!  I was told to usse baby shampoo etc..  I told my Consultant that it just didn't work.  He tol me to use a drop of mild handwash or similar, in hot water and to soak a flannel in this and place it on my eyes until the flannel cooled and repeat.  Since I have been doing this, my eyes have been much more comfortable.  He also told me not to use any creams near my eyes because they clog the glands on the eye lids.

    As you know, there is no cure for Blepharitis.  Have you read this page?

    https://patient.info/health/Blepharitis.htm

     

    • Posted

      No cure is there at least a treatment to provide a quality of life?  this makes me so sad.
  • Posted

    So i just got back from a follow up appointment at the eye ward with a specialist and it turns out it's vernal conjunctivitis!  No one previously bothered to check under eye lid - bearing in mind this has ber  going on since MAY & I've seen several opthamologist.  The minute he checked under my eye lid he diagnosed me... ģave me steroid drops and immediately I'm feeling better!

    To think I've suffered fir 2 months because no one dud a simple check really annoys me. 

  • Posted

    Something I have found very useful and soothing is a "wheaty bag" bought off Amazon... can't recommend it enough!!
  • Posted

    I'm glad you have seen an Ophthalmologist who was able to diagnose your condition.  Sometimes, it can be very hit and miss as to who you see and how experienced they are.
  • Posted

    Hi Kitty,

    I can sympathise after having bleph for 4 months and it drove me INSANE. At times, I felt like I was close to ripping my eyeballs out! I was misdiagnosed with allergies and spent months flip flopping between allergy drops and lubricating drops which just made things worse!

    Your symptoms sound very similar to mine so in short, I asked my doctor about an antibiotic I had read about called Doxycycline and after nearly two weeks on 100mg of Doxycycline (once a day) I am a changed person. To be honest I don't know whether to be ecstatically happy or really freaking angry that I could have been given this MONTHS ago and it would have saved me from having to go through this nightmare. My eyes still aren't 100% and I have the occassional relapse but I feel like I'm functioning much better and I've been sleeping too - hallelujah!

    Forget the months of messing around using stuff like Wet Ones (which caused an allergic reaction for me) - just go straight for the jugular and get the drugs :-)

    As well as the Doxycycline I am still doing the eyelid hygiene routine - basically I have settled into a good routine of the hot washes at least twice a day, after which I have been applying a tiny amount of low 1% hydrocortisone on my lids which the pharmacist told me would heal up the inflamed skin - plus it stops the insane itching - and then applying 100% pure Vit E oil after the hydrocortisone has had chance to sink in. This seems to help moisturise my eyes and it won't be long before I will stop using the hydrocortisone as my eyes are looking better every day, even though I have aged 10 years with this thing :-(

    I hope this might help and wish you all the best in getting through this

    Cheers, Sophia

  • Posted

    Hi Kitty,  what you have written could of so been me writing your symptons/troubles.  I went to allergy clinic yesterday after suffering for months with sore and swollen eyelids and rash on my face only to be told that it is not an allergy, i have now been reffered to a dermatologist however this week is the best my face has been for months i'm not sure if my face cream was aggrevating my symptons so i have now changed my face cream i am washing my face and eyelids twice a day in vagisal feminine wash and fingers cross my eyes have improved.  I think the only thing i havent been issued with is antibiotics which i am guessing is what i will need if i have another flare up.  Fingers crossed i don't as god know how long i will have to wait to see a dermatologist.  Good job i have taken loads of selfies.
  • Posted

    I know this is a terrible conditio that no one seems to take seriously and yet it seems there has to be a cure or treamtment that works.  I am suffering from this and scared.  I have tried everything and I look horrible so it is difficult to work in the publics eye because they are afraid its contagious but its not.  But try to tell that to a stranger.

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