Blepharitis

Classification according to ICD-10
H01.0	Blepharitis
H10.5	Blepharoconjunctivitis
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

Blepharitis

Blepharitis (Greek. Blepharon "Lid", ending -itis "inflammation") or blepharitis is the medical term for inflammation of the eyelids . It often occurs together with inflammation of the conjunctiva ( conjunctivitis ), then known as blepharoconjunctivitis . Blepharitis can occur as a result of general skin diseases, but can also develop in the eyelid itself. Blepharitis can be described more precisely if only parts of the lid are affected or if the cause is known (e.g. meibomitis : inflammation of the Meibomian glands , angular blepharitis : inflammation of the corner of the eyelid, hordeolum : stye, staphylococcal infection of the Zeis glands ).

Symptoms

The eyelids and eyelashes are sticky (usually after sleeping), there is a feeling of foreign body. It is characterized by a red, burning or itchy, swollen eyelid margin. The eyelashes can fall out ( madarosis ) or (for example in the context of ulcerative blepharitis) assume a misalignment ( trichiasis ).

to form

• Scaly eyelid inflammation ( blepharitis squamosa ): Causes are excessive secretion of the eyelid glands, scaly skin inflammation (seborrheic dermatitis), dry air, dust or smoke.
• Infectious blepharitis (for ulcerous blepharitis blepharitis colitis ): Caused by bacteria such. B. staphylococci , herpes simplex viruses , rarely also Demodex folliculorum , ticks or lice . Since the edge of the eyelid is always moist, it offers a good environment for a wide variety of germs. To prove infectious blepharitis, a smear must be taken.
• Allergic eyelid inflammation: Can be caused by cosmetics or eye ointments or drops, but also by other allergens . In the case of drugs, it is usually the preservatives they contain that are not tolerated. A balloon-like, itchy swelling that extends over the entire lid is typical of allergic eyelid inflammation.
• Ocular rosacea ( ophthalmic rosacea ): Occasionally manifests itself in childhood, with or without skin changes of rosacea.

therapy

Good eyelid margin hygiene is of key importance. It is essential to keep the eye clean, and contact lenses or eye cosmetics should be avoided in any case. To remove the incrustations, it is best to use warm water or a cotton ball soaked in olive oil . In order to avoid drug treatment initially, one can try to liquefy the oily secretion in the blocked glands with warm compresses. With a careful eyelid massage, in the direction of the eyelashes, you can try to push the secretion out of the glands. If the symptoms have not subsided after a few days, an ophthalmologist should be consulted. If the blepharitis is infectious, it should be treated with antibiotics or antivirals . If it is allergic, cortisone can be used for a certain period of time .

literature

• Jacob Liberman: Natural Eye Health. Fix vision problems, improve eyesight. Piper, Munich et al. 2000, ISBN 3-492-22894-1 .
• Albert Augustin, Peter Felzer: Everything about the eye: Recognizing early warning signs . Trias, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8304-3210-0 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Gundolf Keil : "blutken - bloedekijn". Notes on the etiology of the hyposphagma genesis in the 'Pommersfeld Silesian Eye Booklet' (1st third of the 15th century). With an overview of the ophthalmological texts of the German Middle Ages. In: Specialized prose research - Crossing borders. Volume 8/9, 2012/2013, pp. 7–175, here: pp. 35, 44.
2. ↑ Rosacea. Guideline of the German Dermatological Society ( Memento from May 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 132 kB) AWMF online, accessed on November 19, 2013

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !