Blepharitis

Prescribing Notes:

• Bathing eyes and increased hygiene may be all that is necessary to treat blepharitis. Medical devices for the management of blepharitis should not be prescribed unless specifically recommended by an ophthalmologist. Patients should be advised to purchase instead.
• The eyelid can be cleansed by wetting a cloth with cleanser (for example, baby shampoo diluted 1:10 with warm water) and gently wiping along the lid margins to clear any lid debris.
• Eyelids should be cleaned twice daily initially, then once daily as symptoms improve.
• In addition, a warm compress (a clean cloth warmed with hot water) should be applied to closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes once or twice daily; compresses should not be too hot as this may burn the skin.
• Eyelid hygiene should be continued even when symptoms are well controlled to minimise number and severity of relapses.
• For posterior blepharitis, a brief gentle eyelid massage following the use of a warm compress can help improve expression of Meibomian gland secretions. Care must be taken to prevent mechanical irritation.
• Pressure on the eye area should be avoided in people with glaucoma.
• Cosmetics should be avoided.
• If hygiene measures are ineffective after 2 weeks offer a trial of chloramphenicol eye ointment.