Please share your blepharitis treatment routine & other info

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I was thinking it might be useful for new visitors to this board to see where the rest of us are with our symptoms and treatment. Please consider posting with answers to the prompts below - only the information you feel comfortable sharing, of course!

BLEPHARITIS

DATE OF FIRST SYMPTOMS: 

SYMPTOMS (AT HEIGHT OF OUTBREAK):

TREATMENTS TRIED:

CURRENT SEVERITY AND SYMPTOMS:

CURRENT TREATMENTS:

CURRENT PERSONAL CARE, COSMETICS, CLEANSING ROUTINES

MAKE-UP:

SKINCARE PRODUCTS:

GROOMING ROUTINES:

CURRENT LIFESTYLE

DIET:

SUPPLEMENTS:

OTHER CONDITIONS/DRUGS:

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE:

 

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  • Posted

    I had blepharitis for 2 months. I had been prescribed an antibiotic ointment which I was told to use for 10 days. It became evident as soon as I stopped using it that it hadn't been effective so I looked online for advise. I saw on this website that some people had used Wet Wipes with good results so gave them a try in conjunction with what was left of the ointment and it worked. HOWEVER-

    My skin has suffered serious damage. My eyelids feel tight and dry and often very sore. I cannot tolerate makeup for very long, even hypo allergenic. The skin over my eyes seems to have lost all of it's moisture and elasticity which has resulted in folds of skin drooping over my upper lids. I am sure that the Blepharitis has gone and that the present problems are the result of using Wet Wipes. They are after all not meant to be used on your eyes.

    My doctor was dismissive and said that they looked normal to her. I replied that I' d had my eyes for 61:years and know what they should look like. I was fobbed off with Hydrocortisone cream which I didn't use.

    I use Oilatum Cream and Vaseline to sooth the symptoms but I' m resigned to my eyes never getting back to normal.

  • Posted

    I have had this since 2003/4

    <> usual cleaning of eyes with cooled boiled water and baby shampoo never really eased?  Mine is mainly in my right eye.<> Red sore and very itchy if it was really bad the following morning they were crusty and watery.

    <> Current cleaning of eyes consists of twice a day with wet ones on eye lash line using throw away wands<> If i get a flare up i clean 3/4 times a day<> Other medication; morphine pregabalin back pain and arthritis 

     

  • Posted

    Here are my Blepharitis details so far!

    First diagnosed:  approx 20 years ago

    Original symptoms:  red eyes, itching, yellow discharge, styes.  I was told it was Bleph but nothing they could do so discharged with a cleansing routine sheet!

    Subsequent symptoms:  flare-ups of what I thought was conjunctivitis plus recurrent styes/meibomian cysts (treated by GP with various eye drops/antibiotic creams/antibiotics/hot compresses/cleansing wipes etc..)

    2004:  brief respite after allergy tests(as result of severe skin allergies) after which I got rid of all products with known allergens e.g. perfume, blue colouring, etc...

    2013 - huge flare up with massive meibomian cyst on right eye lid a week after getting a dog :-(  Doctor gave erythromycin tablets after high dose anti-histamines given by A&E.  Cyst ouzed and popped leaving scar on eye lid.

    Asked to see specialist.  Told I had dry eye and bleph.  Given fake tears.  Told to come back after 3 months but slipped through net.  Eventually got appt but in wrong area - turned up for review and was told they were expecting to operate on cyst.

    2014 Different hospital specialist:  Said my eyes were teaming with bugs - gave Azithromycin, Lotemax, Hylo Forte.  Contra indications made me wary of last two medications but tried the Azithromycin.  Some relief but soon felt eyes were sore, red and dry again.  

    Research on internet made me think I had Candida so started special diet - no sugar, yeast etc...  Felt eyes were improving but hospital said no improvement.

    Prescribed Maxitrol/ eye lubricating drops which I haven't yet collected.  He told me I shouldn't use a hair dryer, that bleph isn't caused by staph, malassezia furfur (yeast) etc... but strep(!!), to use the hot flannel routine, he showed me how to do this using a dry tissue which he scraped around my eyes - so painful!  Plus, like most of these consultants, didn't wash his hands before or after.  

    So now I continue to use hot clean flannel, scrape round with boiled water and bicarb on cotton buds am/pm.  

     

  • Posted

    BLEPHARITIS

    DATE OF FIRST SYMPTOMS: Circa 1975 when I was 4 years old!

    SYMPTOMS (AT HEIGHT OF OUTBREAK): My eyelids stuck together  for 48 hours due to severe inflammation and scabbinf. It was undiagnosed at the time, but I assume it was blepharitis due to the fact I've since been diagnosed with that as an adult. Much later in life (circa 2007-2009) I developed severe chalazions and had surgery to remove them.

    TREATMENTS TRIED: Hot compress, dry eye bag, daily cleansing routine with Blephasol or Occusoft.

    CURRENT SEVERITY AND SYMPTOMS: Minor dry eye irriation.

    CURRENT TREATMENTS: Daily cleansing routine with sterile water/bicarbonate, Blephasol or Occusoft - all see to work equally well.

    CURRENT PERSONAL CARE, COSMETICS, CLEANSING ROUTINES: As above.

    MAKE-UP: None.

    SKINCARE PRODUCTS:  Aveeno moisturiser for dry skin.

    GROOMING ROUTINES: As per above.

    CURRENT LIFESTYLE: 

    DIET: Vegetarian, low consumption of dairy and egg products. 

    SUPPLEMENTS: Daily vitamin tablet optimised for vegetarians.

    OTHER CONDITIONS/DRUGS: 10mg Omeprazole every other day for GERD.

    ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE: The daily (twice daily initially) cleansing routine was/is a life-saver for me. I use Blephasol or Occusoft but I don't want to suggest that you need to spend money on branded products, as I had just as good success with sterile water mixed with bicarbonate of soda, but I got lazy and stopped preparing my own solutions. I'd go back to basics in a shot, as it works.

    • Posted

      Just wanted to add, that long before the commercial eye bags became available and before I had an official diagnosis from a doctor, I used to heat up half a potato, wrapped in a hot, wet flannel, and press it against my eye for 15-20 minutes. This used to reduce the swelling, athough it caused more sensitivity due to the heat.  It was especially effective against chalazions as they first started to form. After using the compress for 15-20 minutes I would massage the eyelids which helped to distribute the softened mass and prevent chalazions forming. This wouldn't be much use against fully-formed chalazions, which is why I underwent surgery to remove those. I haven't had any chalazions since using a daily cleansing routine along with a heat press if I suspect a lump in my eyelid is starting to form.

       

    • Posted

      Started almost a year ago. Blurred vision,burning on and off,diagonsed dry eye caused by posterior blepharitis,i also hace anterior outside lid blepharitis on and off. Routine was told warm compresses or heated bead bag eye mask. Omega 3 fish oil 1000 mg,3 a day. I clean my lids when itchy and crusty with a drop of baby shamoo mixed in water. I usually clean each eye along rims and over the top with solution then rinse well with clear water. Gentle massage along rims of eyes,pushing up along rims on lower lids,down on lids with eye closed along rims to open gland. Occasional eye drops. My biggest problem now is the qtips i use to clean the rims are causing dryness and irritation there. I suppose from scrubbing away oils,any sudgestion on this? Diet,i eat what I want,i do drink wine which gives me a break from the anxiety,although i know alcohol can caus dryness -the next day it often moistens my eyes as they water a bit. My doc told me to cut down on the compresses and massage and do it a few times a week. I find the fish oil helps alot with dry eye but takes awhile to kick in. The thing that bothers me the most is the blurring of vision from the tear film being off from iritation and blocking of oil glands. My lids are doing pretty good,at times can wear hypoallergenic eyeliner but rarely and make sure to stay above lash line,i use powder face foundation but close eyes when applying,blush,conceiler and lipstck. Wash face with clear water. I really need a safe moistueizer for eyelids? Also i take anxiety med daily for anxiety caused by this. I know some meds caus dry eyes,but find it hard to deal with without it. I had anxiety before this also.
    • Posted

      Also warm compresses sometimes irritate my eyes and my vision gets hazzier,probably from the release of oils,it also seems to make my bleph on my lids worse. Its a catch 22. I had about 3 months of clear vision,thought i had got rid of it..nope,its back. I think originally mine was caused by not washing eye make up off at night,followed by the dreaded menopause. Doxyciline might be something i try..anyone use it? Also Cleredex wipes in case its caused by demodex mites.

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