Blepharitis

Blepharitis is inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. Its etiology is diverse: chronic infectious and infectious-allergic diseases, hypovitaminosis, anemia, helminthic infestations, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, teeth, and nasopharynx. Predisposing factors are uncorrected ametropia, chronic conjunctivitis, diseases of the lacrimal ducts, exposure to wind, dust, and smoke.

Symptoms and course. There are simple or scaly blepharitis, ulcerative and meibomian. With simple blepharitis, the edges of the eyelids are slightly hyperemic, sometimes somewhat thickened, and covered with small grayish-white scales. There is an itching sensation in the eyelids. Ulcerative blepharitis is characterized by the formation of purulent crusts on the edge of the eyelid, after removal of which bleeding ulcers are exposed. Their scarring leads to eyelash loss and improper growth. With meibomian blepharitis, the edges of the eyelids are hyperemic, thickened, and appear oily. When pressing on the cartilage, an oily secretion is released. The course of the disease is chronic.

Treatment. General health measures are carried out after a thorough examination of the patient. Vitamin-rich foods are prescribed. Hygienic working and living conditions are created. Correct correction of ametropia is carried out. For simple blepharitis, after removing the scales, apply a cotton swab to the edge of the eyelid with a 1% solution of brilliant green or rub in 1% yellow mercury ointment, 30% sodium sulfacyl ointment. To remove crusts from ulcerative blepharitis, first apply a compress with fish oil, oil or ointment to the eyes. Exposed ulcers are lubricated daily with antiseptic solutions for 3-5 days, and subsequently with antibiotic ointments. In persistent cases of ulcerative blepharitis, autohemotherapy, physiotherapeutic treatment, and irradiation with Bucca rays are performed. For meibomian blepharitis, the secretion of the meibomian glands is squeezed out through the skin of the eyelid, and then the edges of the eyelids are lubricated with antiseptics.

Forecast. Systematic treatment of blepharitis provides only temporary improvement. The disease can become chronic.

Blepharitis is a chronic eye disease accompanied by inflammatory damage to the edges of the eyelids. This disease is characterized by dryness of the eyes or their sensitivity to irritants, the formation of scales and crusts caused by redness and irritation of the edges of the eyelids, as well as a severe itching sensation. The disease usually manifests itself as red, burning, sometimes scratchy,