Got told I have blepharitis grade 3? help please??
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi
I went to the optician who spent a long time analysing my eyes through a slit lamp. She put it on a really high level so the light was really bright, she then told me that it looked really bad on the highest setting with crusting and gunk on top and bottom eyelids. I initially went for a eye exam due to having red veins in the whites of my eyes for around 5 months now which my eyes tend to feel uncomfortable at times. I thought that my eyes don't look too bad but according to the lady they looked bad under the light. What is the crusting and gunk she is talking about and why can't I see this? The only think visible is the slight redness in my actual eye, nothing seems to be on my eyelids. She recommended blephagel has anyone tried this? I am really sick now i hate the appearance can anything be done?
0 likes, 6 replies
lawra16916 dank94
Posted
I assume by your prescription for Blephagel that you are in the Uk.
Did your dr recommend a cleansing routine?
Warm flannel for 10 minutes, then wash eyes with a cotton pad with first a downward motion from eyebrows over closed lids. Upward motion from uncertain eye to lower lashes. One pad per eye. This helps bring down the inflammation in the oil glands along you lash lines.
Then apply you Blephagel.
Non preservative eye drops throughout the day.
Some dr recommend washing eyes with a water solution made with a small amount of baby shampoo or tea tree oil shampoo. Each morning and at night.
I use just warm water and a Qtip to wash along the lash lines.
It is really a dry eye complication and once you come up with a routine that works for you it is manageable. You have to be regular and patient!
Good luck, and read the info on this site, very helpful!
dank94 lawra16916
Posted
Yeh I am in the UK.
I have previously done warm compress with eyelid scrubs for around 2 weeks but didn't see any changes so stopped with it. I have never really put in artifical tears religously. I think my eyes are super sensitive that's why I don't like doing much but i don't think I have a choice now as appearance doesn't seem to be getting better with time. In terms of washing with the cotton pad do i just soak it in warm water and then rub around eyes?
Also with blephagel once putting it on do you keep it on or do you wash it off?
This sucks, please tell me the red veins in my eyes will go? I am only 21 I can't make eye contact with anybody![sad](https://patient.azureedge.net/forums/emoticons/sad.gif)
I have also noticed the sleep mucus I used to get before this happened was dry, now it is more of a watery white (sometimes stingy) consistency
dank94
Posted
Yeh I am in the UK.
I have previously done warm compress with eyelid scrubs for around 2 weeks but didn't see any changes so stopped with it. I have never really put in artifical tears religously. I think my eyes are super sensitive that's why I don't like doing much but i don't think I have a choice now as appearance doesn't seem to be getting better with time. In terms of washing with the cotton pad do i just soak it in warm water and then rub around eyes?
Also with blephagel once putting it on do you keep it on or do you wash it off?
This sucks, please tell me the red veins in my eyes will go? I am only 21 I can't make eye contact with anybody![sad](https://patient.azureedge.net/forums/emoticons/sad.gif)
I have also noticed the sleep mucus I used to get before this happened was dry, now it is more of a watery white (sometimes stingy) consistency
Hollyberry dank94
Posted
meticulous hygiene is crucial. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching anything that goes in your eyes. Use paper towels for dying or change hand towel daily. Use a different cotton wool pad ( The Aldi ones are less fluffy than others and cheap) for each eye and use only for one wipe.
Warm water on cotton pad, wipe each eye, then repeat ( so you've used 4 pads) Then either squeeze 2 clean wash cloths out in hot water and place one over each eye for about 5 mins. Or get a gel pack, warm it GENTLY in the microwave in 10 second bursts ( careful, they explode if overheated) Check it's not too jot and hold on closed eyes for 5 mins.
then use the Blephagel. Keep your eyes lubricated with drops. Never let the tip of the drops bottle touch anything, keep lid on it when not in use etc..
You ou have to do the cleaning regime at least twice a day. I found I had to do it 4 times a day.
eventually I was prescribed a course of anti biotics and that squashed the Blepharitis dead. If after a couple of months the hygiene routine isn't helping ask your doctor about antibiotics. It's also worth asking either the optician or your GP to refer you to your nearest hospital. I've found GPS don't really understand Blepharitis. The eye clinic at my local hospital in Devon is excellent. Good luck. It won't always be as bad as it is now.
dank94 Hollyberry
Posted
Thanks for your comment. I had done warm compress and lid scrubs for around 2 weeks but never consistantly and when I found out the eyes weren't changing in appearance i stopped. I have never used artifical tears often enough either. I will try this again though as it clearly is not getting better.
It just kind of scared me today when the woman at the optician told me it looks really bad under a slit lamp with crust bumps and gunk which i can not see but which could be causing my eyes feeling horrible sometimes. Did you have red veins in eyes with this condition? That is the only thing that is really knocking me down in terms of socially and emotionally the rest I could kind of deal with.
My gp won't refer me to a eye doctor his respone is they do serious operations and treat glaucoma etc
Hollyberry dank94
Posted
GPs don't know enough about eye problems. There are several different types of Blepharitis and you need a specialist.
search online for your local hospital. If they have an eye A&E you can take yourself there. Be prepared for a long wait but you will be seen.
An optician in any High Street ( Boots, SpecSavers etc) can refer you to the eye dept at hospital too.
Always describe your symptoms at their worst. Always say how badly it affects your every day life --- working, studying, driving, whatever.
If all else fails go to hospital, find the eye dept, explain how bad your eyes are and say the GP won't refer, ask what you can do. Always be exceptionally polite and emphasise the pain/ discomfort. My local hospital eye dept is brilliant so you might strike lucky.
you can also try writing to your GP and saying you are formally requesting a referrial to hospital as this is your right.
The warm compresses are probably your best bet at the moment. The warmth softens the oils that are blocking the ducts -- that's what causes the crusts. Wash them away afterwards with cotton wool pads. You can also gently massage your eyelids ( with closed eyes) after the compresses.