Dealing with blepharitis can be frustrating, especially if you’re worried about passing it on to others. While blepharitis itself isn’t contagious, the underlying causes, such as bacteria or mites, can sometimes spread in close-contact situations.
Understanding the facts about blepharitis is key to managing symptoms and protecting your eye health. If you’re experiencing irritation or discomfort, booking an eye exam is the best first step to the right diagnosis and treatment.
What Is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that often occurs along the edge where the root of your eyelashes are. It’s a common condition, and while it’s rarely serious, it can cause ongoing and progressive discomfort if not treated. People with blepharitis experience symptoms including:
- Red, swollen, or irritated eyelids
- Itchy or burning sensation around the eyes
- Flaking skin around the base of the eyelashes (like dandruff)
- Crusting along the eyelid margin
- Watery or sensitive eyes
- Blurred vision that fluctuates with blink
- Feeling like something is in your eye
Blepharitis usually affects both eyes and often returns even after treatment, making regular eyelid hygiene and management necessary.
Types of Blepharitis: Anterior vs. Posterior
There are two primary types of blepharitis:
- Anterior Blepharitis affects the outer edge of your eyelids, where your eyelashes meet the eyelid skin.
- Posterior Blepharitis involves the inner edge of the eyelid, where eyelid oil glands (called Meibomian glands) reside. This type of blepharitis is commonly associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction.
Most people experience a combination of both types of blepharitis. Both can be due to a combination of bacteria, Demodex mites, or atopic skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, seborrhea or psoriasis.
Can Blepharitis Spread from Person to Person?
Blepharitis itself is not contagious. This means you can’t catch it from someone else, nor can you pass it on through casual contact. However, certain underlying causes of blepharitis, like bacterial infections or Demodex mite infestation (yes, mites!), can lead to contagious circumstances if proper hygiene is not maintained.
For instance, sharing makeup with someone who has eyelid mites may increase your chances of developing Blepharitis dur to exposure to these tiny critters.
What Causes Blepharitis?
Several things can contribute to the development of blepharitis. Common causes include:
- Bacterial infections: Staphylococcus bacteria is a common culprit, especially when it builds up at the eyelid margins.
- Oil gland blockages: Clogged Meibomian glands, located at the base of your eyelashes, can lead to irritation and inflammation.
- Allergic reactions: Reactions to eye makeup, skincare products, or environmental allergens can trigger blepharitis.
- Skin conditions: Conditions like rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or eczema can make some people more prone to blepharitis.
- Eyelash mites (Demodex): These microscopic mites naturally reside on the skin but can become problematic when they overpopulate near the eyelids.
Is Blepharitis Related to Other Eye Infections?
Most people with blepharitis worry whether it’s linked to other eye problems, and the answer isn’t quite black and white. While blepharitis itself is not an infection, it can lead to secondary issues, such as:
- Styes (small, painful lumps along the eyelid caused by blocked glands).
- Chalazia (painless cysts resulting from chronic gland blockage).
- Conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye, which can sometimes accompany severe blepharitis).
How to Prevent the Spread of Eye Conditions
Even though blepharitis isn’t contagious, maintaining good hygiene is essential to prevent other related conditions from spreading. Follow these tips to protect your eye health:
- Avoid sharing makeup, makeup brushes, or towels.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or face.
- Replace mascara or eyeliner every 3-4 months to avoid bacterial buildup.
- Be cautious when applying eye care products and cleansers near the eye area.
How Lid Hygiene Can Help
Clean eyelids are happy eyelids! Good eyelid hygiene keeps your eyes healthy and helps prevent conditions like blepharitis. Here’s how to make lid care part of your routine:
- Heat Mask: Use a designated eye heating mask with moisture and dry heat combination and place over your closed eyes for about 10 minutes. This softens any blockages and makes cleaning easier.
- Cleaning: Use an eyelid cleansing brush and an eye safe eyelid cleanser to scrub along the eyelid/eyelash margins. After 15-20 back and forth washing, rinse eyewash off completely and repeat with the other eye.
- What not to use: Regular soaps, baby shampoo, make up removers, chemical filled eyelid scrubs can irritate the delicate eyelid skin and your eyes.
- Consistent Exfoliation: Deeper exfoliation may necessary for stubborn, long standing blepharitis.
Advanced Eyelid Cleaning with AB Max
Professional eyelid deep cleaning (blepharoexfoliation) with AB Max is indicated for everyone once or twice a year. Just as with deep teeth cleaning, an in-office blepharoexfoliation targets buildup and blockages from bacteria at the eyelid margins and Demodex mites that burrow into the eyelash roots. This prevents your meibomian glands from repeat clogging and allows them to function properly. Healthy glands mean better tear quality, which can ease symptoms like dryness and irritation.
AB Max blepharoexfoliation is a painless, zero downtime 15 minutes treatment performed in the office. If you’ve never had your eyelids cleaned, contact the team at Luminance Vision and we can guide you on how to include this as part of your eye care routine.
Treatment Options for Managing Blepharitis
While there’s no permanent cure for blepharitis, there are treatments that can effectively manage the condition:
- Blepharoexfoliation treatment : In office deep cleaning which to remove plaque buildup from bacteria and Demodex mites.
- Antimicrobial sprays: Gentle antiseptic spray to reduce bacterial load at the eyelid margins.
- Medication: Prescribed medicated eye drops targeting and killing Demodex mites at the eyelid margins.
See an optometrist who specialilzes in dry eye disease treatment and management for the proper diagnosis and effective treatment plan for blepharitis.
When to See an Optometrist for Blepharitis
While mild cases of blepharitis may not appear to be a problem, you should always ask your optometrist for treatment and preventative measures so that you do not develop blepharitis. Blepharitis can be severe when you experience any of the following:
- Symptoms that persist or worsen
- You experience irritation, styes, plugged glands, pain, swelling, or vision changes
- You can see dandruff like appearance at the eyelid margins
- You experience lash loss, lash breakage, or red eyelids margins
Blepharitis is a chronic condition, but is treatable and manageable. Remember to prioritize good hygiene, follow your treatment plan, and seek professional guidance and treatment.
For the best care routine, request an appointment at Luminance Vision Optometry where our doctors and team specialize in the treatment and management of blepharitis.
