If you have eyelids that are inflamed and irritated, you’re likely suffering from a condition called blepharitis. There are a number of causes of blepharitis, which is why you need the help of Watson Dry Eye Center. The practice specializes in diagnosing and treating the myriad problems that cause dry, itchy, and inflamed eyes. Founded by Susan Watson, MD, the team helps patients in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the surrounding Triangle gain relief from eyelid dysfunction. To learn more, call or email us at [email protected] to request an appointment.

Blepharitis Q & A

What is blepharitis?

In the simplest of terms, blepharitis is inflammation of your eyelids. What’s not so simple is the number of problems that can lead to blepharitis, including:

• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Bacterial infection
• Allergies
• Ocular rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff
• Mites or lice

Because eyelid function is impaired, blepharitis can lead to such problems as:

• Dry eye disease
• Inability to wear contact lenses
• Insufficient or excessive tearing
• Compromised eyelash growth
• Conjunctivitis, or pink eye
• Styes
• Chalazions (eyelid cyst)

The good news is that there are a number of effective tools at Watson Dry Eye Center that can help remedy blepharitis.

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

The most common symptoms of blepharitis include:

• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Redness
• Swollen eyelids
• Stinging or burning sensations in your eyes
• Crusty eyelashes, especially upon waking
• Eyelashes that grow abnormally, often too short or irregularly
• Light sensitivity

If you suffer from any of these symptoms for a few days, it’s time to make an appointment at Watson Dry Eye Center.

How do you diagnose blepharitis?

Dr. Watson and her team have a number of advanced diagnostic tools that help them identify the source of your blepharitis, including:

• Tear film analysis
• Gland imaging
• Allergy testing
• Omega-3 fatty acid analysis

After running these tests, the team of specialists can pinpoint the cause of your blepharitis and get you started on a treatment plan right away.

How do you treat blepharitis?

With a diagnosis in hand, the team at Watson Dry Eye Center brings you relief from your blepharitis using one or more of the following in addition to combination therapies:

• Medications to soothe dry eyes, including Restasis®, Xiidra®, and TrueTear®
• BlephEx® to remove debris and bacteria from your eyelids
• LipiFlow® to unclog your meibomian glands
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) to reduce inflammation and treat ocular rosacea

The BlephEx procedure is especially effective in clearing out bacteria and debris to promote clean and healthy eyelids. Dr. Watson offers BlephEx in her office for your convenience. The procedure takes very little time and causes minimal discomfort. Most patients benefit from regular cleaning every four to six months in order to prevent blepharitis flare-ups and reduce dry eye disease symptoms.

If you want to clear up your blepharitis and are located in the Raleigh, NC or surrounding Triangle area, call Watson Dry Eye Center or email us at [email protected] to request an appointment.