Category: Applications
Posted: 2007-09-24 17:06
DESCRIPTION
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the outer edges of the eyelids that causes redness, itching, burning, and, often, a sensation of having something in one's eye. Other possible symptoms include swelling of the eyelids, loss of eyelashes, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light. Secretions may form crusts that "glue" the eyes together during sleep.
This condition is caused by an infection of the eyelash follicles or glands at the outer edges of the eyelids. Eyestrain, poor hygiene, poor living and sleeping habits, poor nutrition, and systemic disease with resulting immunodepression commonly contribute to the problem. Blepharitis, may also be associated with seborrhea of the face or scalp.
There are 3 forms of blepharitis (staphylococcal, seborrheic, and MGD). All three forms of blepharitis are chronic in nature. People with staphylococcal blepharitis are relatively young (average age 42 years) with a short history of ocular symptoms (average about 1.8 years). People with seborrheic blepharitis and MGD blepharitis are generally older and have a longer history of ocular symptoms.
In staphylococcal blepharitis there is scaling and crusting along the eye lashes. In seborrheic blepharitis there is greasy scaling along the eyelashes. Patients frequently have seborrheic dermatitis as well. In Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) there are prominent blood vessels crossing the eyelid margin. In addition there is pouting or plugging of meibomian gland openings, and poor expressibility and/or turbidity of the oily meibomian secretions. Patients with MGD frequently are noted to have coexisting rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis. Use of isotretinoin (Accutane), an oral medication for severe cystic acne, has also been implicated as a cause of blepharitis.
TREATMENT
Castor oil has been used traditionally in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy for treatment of blepharitis. The main ingredient in Castor oil is ricinoleic acid. Castor oil could either increase or decrease eyelid inflammation depending upon whether it is used only once or is used several times for many days. Eyelid inflammation may increase initially after starting treatment but with repeated use over a week, the blepharitis inflammation will be reduced.
Eating more grapes may help blepharitis sufferers. The formation of oxidants like nitric oxide in the involved eyelid margin have been speculated to play a role in blepharitis. The substance, known as resveratrol is an anti-oxidant that is very effective against these nitrite type of oxidants. Grapes are particularly good sources of resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in the skin (not flesh) of grapes. Fresh grape skin contains about 50 to 100 micrograms of resveratrol per gram and red wine (also rich in resveratrol) contains about 1.5 to 3 milligrams per liter.
Warm eyebright, goldenseal, or mullein compresses are soothing and help reduce inflammation. Prepare a tea using one of these herbs, cool it to a comfortably warm temperature, and soak a clean cloth or a piece of sterile cotton in it to make the compress. Apply the compress and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. Then make a fresh compress and gently wipe the edge of the eyelid and the area among the eyelashes to remove any scaly matter or dandruff-like debris. Do this twice a day or as needed. Use each compress only once before laundering or discarding it.
