Granulated Eyelids: Blepharitis

Anterior blepharitis can be caused by poor hygiene. When the bacterial load begins to grow, it can collect in the crevices and folds on our eyelids. If our hygiene is poor, the bacteria grow more, causing inflammation, redness and flaky or crusty discharge. Blepharitis associated with poor hygiene is more common children and teens. Seborrheic dermatitis, acne rosacea and allergic reactions to chemicals are also causes of blepharitis. Another important cause is demodex. Demodex is an eyelash mite that infests the eyelid margins and eyelashes. As we get older, demodex tends to hang around a little longer and proliferates.

When blepharitis becomes more chronic, the eyelids become red, thicker and roughened in appearance and thus, more granulated in appearance. Although, this can occur in children, it is more common in elderly patients and patients who have ocular rosacea.

Posterior blepharitis refers to meibomian gland dysfunction. The eyelids are lined with meibomian glands. These glands secret a type of oil that contributes to the stability and quality of your tears. Without the oily layer of the tears, your tears will evaporate quickly. When people have this problem, they have evaporative dry eye syndrome. People who have meibomian gland dysfunction can also develop granulated eye lids. Their eyelids typically appear thickened, swollen and usually have a red rimmed appearance. They also developed oily, waxy meibomian caps along their eyelid margin.

Treatment of granulated eyelids encompasses many different remedies. The most common way of reducing the signs and symptoms are to apply very warm compresses to the eyelids. Not only does it bring comfort to the patient suffering from blepharitis, it also brings blood flow to the area to speed healing and can physically "melt" the hardened or impacted eyelids glands. Warm compresses also generally reduce itchiness and pain. Many doctors also prescribe artificial tears, antibiotic ointments and various eyelids scrubs. In certain cases when the condition can be stubborn, oral antibiotics pills are prescribed anywhere from 7 days up to several months.

Some people who suffer from granulated eyelids may also develop a stye, also referred to as hordeolum from time to time. A stye can be confused with a chalazion, which is a blocked gland in the eyelid. These are not infected and are usually not painful, although they are treated the same as a stye with warm compresses. An internal stye arises from the gland of Zeis or Moll, while an external stye comes from an infected meibomian gland.