Posterior Blepharitis Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

What is Posterior Blepharitis? What are Symptoms and Causes?

Posterior blepharitisaffects the inner eyelid and is caused by problems with the oil glands, also known as meibomian glands, in this part of the eyelid.   

Posterior blepharitis is usually caused by a poor diet that is high in unhealthy fats and processed sugars,  which are abundant in the western diet. Posterior blepharitis can also develop as a result of other skin conditions, such as rosacea and scalp dandruff.

Symptoms include red eyes, gritty, dry, irritated eyes, fluctuating and blurred vision. 

Posterior Blepharitis Treatment

The best way to treat posterior blepharitis or keep it from coming back is to clean your eyelids daily to prevent the buildup of bacteria, biofilm and Demodex mites on the eyelid margin. Eyelid hygiene is very important in treating and controlling blepharitis.

Here are some eyelid hygiene tips to remember:

1. Begin with a warm compress

A warm compress will melt any blocked residue in the oil glands (meibomian glands) that may be in that inner part of the eyelid.

Find a good quality warm compress mask and follow the instructions to heat the mask, usually 20 seconds in the microwave.

Then apply over closed eyelids for the recommended time, usually 10-20 minutes.

2. Safely express the meibomian glands

USING A COTTON SWAB

• Spray Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser on the cotton swab.
• Look in the mirror.
• Roll the cotton swab down and across your entire eyelid.
• Use a little pressure, but don't put too much.
• Then repeat for the bottom lid, rolling up.

• Start on one corner and roll down all across your lid.
• Then using the Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser you're just going to spray your eyelids with it.

3. Cleaning your eyelids.

There are different options of doing this as well.

a. Use an over-the-counter eyelid cleanser like the Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser and follow instructions. Just spray on lashes and eyelids and let air dry or use a cotton round to gently rub through lashes.

c. Use a prescription eyelid cleanser, like Avenova, and follow instructions as stated on the bottle.

 4. Eating healthy omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids

There are plenty of options to increase your healthy fat intake.  We always recommend healthy foods such as avocado, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.  These can be used in salads, smoothies, or as a topping for pretty much everything.  

Supplementation can be used, and some supplement with fish oil or other organic, unrefined vegetarian oil supplements. 

It's also a good idea to minimize use of eye makeup when you have blepharitis, because mascara wands can easily be contaminated and can interfere by not allowing the bacteria to ever really go away. 

RECAP

• Posterior blepharitis causes posterior eyelid inflammation due to problems with the meibomian glands. It can also develop due to poor diet and other skin conditions, such as rosacea and scalp dandruff
• Posterior Blepharitis can be treated by keeping eyelids clean by first doing a warm compress to help loosen the oils that are blocked and then using a cleanser to spray on your lids and lashes to help clean the eyelids.  Changing your diet will help significantly as well.

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One Love,

Dr. Travis Zigler

SeeEO of Eye Love