If you are a patient who has recurring bouts of blepharitis, by now you have heard lots of causes and complications. You may have read about blepharitis even causing blindness and you may be wondering, “Does blepharitis really cause blindness?” There is quite a bit of misinformation out there, and that is one of the reasons you will benefit from professional blepharitis treatment at Elmquist Eye Group in Fort Myers.

Common Complications

No, blepharitis does not cause blindness, but it can lead to several other complications. Eyelashes may fall out or grow in strange directions. Your eyelid skin may have issues caused by the long-term inflammation that is the hallmark of blepharitis. Some patients experience excess tearing while others have dry eye, both caused by abnormal oily secretions. Many of our patients experience difficulty wearing contact lenses because the lubrication in the eye is abnormal, making them uncomfortable to wear.

The inflammation can cause bacteria buildup that may lead to a sty, a painful infection that forms at the base of the eyelashes. A chalazion, a cyst inside the eyelid, can also form when the small oil glands become blocked. Finally, blepharitis sufferers tend to have recurring bouts of pink eye (conjunctivitis) and corneal infection.

Common Causes

While doctors do not know the exact cause of blepharitis, it is associated with bacterial infection and clogged or malfunctioning oil glands in the eyelids. People with seborrheic dermatitis, a dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows, are more prone to blepharitis. Interestingly, people with a skin condition called rosacea are also more prone to have the condition. People with allergies can also be more prone, or a person can have an allergic reaction to eye makeup or contact lens solutions.

The Elmquist Treatment

At Elmquist, we use a treatment specially designed by Dr. Elmquist himself. We first soothe the affected area with warm compresses, proven very effective because the compresses heat the debris that has collected on the eyelid margin. Next, we use a very effective treatment method called lid scrubbing. Our expert team will gently scrub the base of the eyelashes, right on the eyelid margin, to reduce bacteria in the area. We will send you home with an at-home kit to maintain your eyelid hygiene after the procedure. Immediately after scrubbing, we apply an antibiotic treatment ointment on the eyelid margin.

Blepharitis is unfortunately a chronic condition for those who suffer from it. There is no cure for blepharitis, but our expert Elmquist team can help you maintain the condition to keep inflammation under control. The redness and itchiness of blepharitis is definitely a nuisance and that in and of itself is a great justification for treatment.

Patients should know that left untreated, blepharitis can lead to worse infections and further complications, but rest assured, blepharitis does not cause blindness. If you have blepharitis, contact one of our experts at the Elmquist Eye Group today. Come in for treatment and we will teach you how to keep your condition under control. Give us a call and schedule an appointment today.