Blepharitis

Definition:  The most common inflammation of the eyelids.  It usually involves the lid margins and frequently is associated with conjunctivitis.

Signs/Symptoms:  

• Foreign-body sensation

• Tearing

• Itching

• Burning

• Crusting around the eyes

• Punctate staining with fluorsceine

• Lid swelling

• Mild discharge

Differential Diagnosis:  

• Meibomianitis

• Dry eye syndrome

Causes:   Bacterial infection by staphylococcus is frequently responsible

Evaluation:

• Visual acuity

• Anterior segment evaluation

• Evaluation of the eye lids for crusting on the lashes

• Notches in the lid margin indicative of chronic disease

• White eyelashes indicative of chronicity

• Thickened eyelid margins with prominent blood vessels

• Evaluate the cornea for marginal scarring and blood vessels  

Treatment:

• Scrub the eyelid margins with mild shampoo (Johnson’s baby shampoo) twice a day

• Warm compresses for 20 minutes two to 4 times a day on the eyes

• Artificial tears 4 to 6 times a day

• Erythromycin ointment at bedtime

• If severe or recurrent then use tetracycline 250mg po qid for 14 days

Prognosis: 

• Generally good

• Should not interfere with daily routine of duty.  

• After instillation of ointment wait ½ hour before operating machinery as ointment may make vision blurry.

This section provided by CAPT Robert B. North, Jr., MC, USN

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*This web version is provided by The Brookside Associates, LLC.  It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. The medical information presented was reviewed and felt to be accurate in 2001. Medical knowledge and practice methods may have changed since that time. Some links may no longer be active. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.

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