Blepharitis is a common condition that causes swollen eyelids. Dry eyes, on the other hand, are caused by a problem with the amount or quality of tears produced and lead to itching and irritation.
These two conditions are often experienced together. Blepharitis is an inflammation, which can affect the way tears are produced and sometimes also leads to dry eyes. Inflammation may be a symptom in some cases of dry eyes, but there is little evidence that they directly cause blepharitis. The conditions are closely linked, however, and are often treated together.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of these two conditions and how they related to each other. With a look at the symptoms, causes and treatment options, you can gain some useful information to help protect you from these disruptive and frustrating conditions.
Symptoms of Blepharitis and Dry Eyes
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, so it is likely you will experience swollen, red and irritated eyelids. This can be accompanied by a range of other symptoms:
- Crusty or flakey eyelids
- A feeling of having something in your eye
- Soreness
- Dry eyes
- Burning or stinging
- Sensitivity to light
Blepharitis is a long-term (chronic) condition, so you may experience the symptoms in different episodes over time.
Dry eyes are caused by a variety of different things, but usually, some of these symptoms are usually present:
Causes and Risk Factors of Blepharitis and Dry Eyes
Blepharitis has two main types: anterior and posterior. Anterior blepharitis affects the front of the eyelids, while posterior blepharitis affects the inner rim of the eyelid that touches the eye and occurs when oil-producing glands do not function correctly.
Common causes of anterior blepharitis include:
- Allergic reactions
- Bacteria-carrying mites
Posterior blepharitis is often caused by:
- Dandruff
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
Both types of the condition can be caused by Acne Rosacea. Blepharitis is most commonly caused by bacteria entering the eye and keeping your eyes and face clean can help to reduce your risk of developing the condition.
Dry eyes can be caused by environmental factors, medications and underlying conditions like blepharitis. Contributing factors to developing dry eyes include:
- Dry, windy or polluted environments
- Extended screen time
- Sleep loss
- Conditions including blepharitis, Sjögren's syndrome and Lupus
- Certain medications for allergies, acne, depression and contraception
Impact of Blepharitis and Dry Eyes on Eye Health
While neither of these conditions can cause serious vision loss, they can have a lasting effect on your eye health and your comfort.
Both of these conditions tend to be chronic and cannot be cured with one-off treatment. As such, they can cause continued discomfort and practical difficulties in your personal and professional life. Finding a lasting way to manage or treat your condition, is an important part of limiting the effect they have on your life.
Properly managing these conditions can also limit complications. Both blepharitis and dry eyes can cause inflammation, infection and damage to the corneal surface. Each condition also has complications that can damage your eye health and well-being.
If you are diagnosed with either of these conditions, it’s vital to take active steps to look after your eye health.
Exploring the Relationship Between Blepharitis and Dry Eyes
Blepharitis and dry eyes have similar symptoms and often occur together, but are different conditions with different risk factors and treatment options. To understand how blepharitis and dry eyes are linked you need to learn a little about how the eye uses tears to keep itself lubricated.
Tears are mainly made of three substances. They have an oily outer layer, a watery layer and a mucus layer. These different components give tears their unique lubricating quality. We know that one of the causes of dry eyes is when there is a problem with the way tears are produced. One cause of blepharitis is when oil-producing glands (meibomian glands) are blocked and produce less oil. This can lead to a change in the make-up of tears and in some cases dry eyes. In this way, blepharitis may be said to cause dry eye – though it is probably more accurate to say they have a common cause.
Treating Blepharitis and Dry Eyes: Medical and Home Remedies
While there are over-the-counter and prescription treatments for blepharitis and dry eye, in many cases doctors or optometrists will recommend managing your symptoms at home.
For blepharitis, applying a warm compress can help to remove crust from around the eyelids and eyelashes, while also relieving discomfort and soothing the inflammation. Washing the eye with warm water is also an important part of keeping the eye free of excess oil and bacteria – use a clean cloth soaked in warm water and apply it gently to the eyelids. Some people opt to use a small amount of baby shampoo, which can help cleanse the eyelid and remove any debris.
For dry eyes, many people use artificial tears, a specialised kind of eye drop that helps to keep the eye lubricated. Omega-3 Fatty Acids improve eye health and are thought to be helpful to minimise dry eyes – they also have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help with blepharitis (Simopoulos, 2002).
Sometimes, it may be necessary to treat these conditions with medication. For dry eyes, treatment is designed to lubricate the eyes and reduce inflammation and irritation. This is usually achieved with medicated eye drops like artificial tears (over-the-counter) or prescription drops and gels. Importantly, doctors and optometrists will usually also recommend home care and lifestyle changes to treat the condition.
Blepharitis is usually treated using antibiotics, which target the infection. This will usually be delivered as an antibiotic cream or ointment. In some cases, steroid eye drops may be used to treat severe inflammation.
Treatments for these conditions will depend on the case. Taking an active role in your eye care and listening to the recommendations of your doctor or optometrist will give you the best chance of treating your condition successfully.
Lifestyle Changes for Alleviating Blepharitis and Dry Eye Symptoms
For both conditions, there are changes you can make to your lifestyle that can help to limit your symptoms and in some cases prevent them altogether. Usually, this involves creating a hygiene routine for your eyes, changing your diet and avoiding specific environments.
- Keeping your eyes clean is vital to protecting you from eye conditions. This includes everything from removing your make-up properly to contact lens care. If you have blepharitis, regularly cleaning your eyes is an important habit to get into.
- Air that is smokey, polluted or dry can lead to dry eye or exacerbate the symptoms of blepharitis. Avoiding these environments as much as possible, and quitting smoking is one way to limit your symptoms.
- Hydration and diet also play a major part in eye health. Foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids like fatty fish are especially important; as are grains, nuts, leafy vegetables and flaxseed. Staying hydrated promotes good eye health and is especially important for managing dry eye symptoms.
Depending on whether you have blepharitis, dry eye, or both, your optometrist may recommend some lifestyle changes based on your unique case. Sometimes eye conditions are caused by specific irritants, environments or habits and changing these factors in your everyday life may be the solution that works best for you.
Preventive Measures for Blepharitis and Dry Eyes: Tips and Recommendations
Practising good eye care in your everyday life can help to stop you from developing these conditions and save you a lot of irritation and discomfort.
To prevent blepharitis and dry eyes many of the lifestyle changes mentioned above can help you to avoid these conditions. In many cases, environmental factors or habits like smoking may be the cause of your condition and avoiding them can help limit your chances of developing either condition.
Foreign bodies and bacteria are often the cause of eye conditions. Practising proper hygiene, especially when you wear contact lens is a key part of preventing both conditions. Wearing protective eyewear is also important whenever your eyes are at risk of injury or may be exposed to irritants.
Regular eye exams are not only about diagnosing conditions and checking up on your vision. They can help to prevent conditions like these by spotting warning signs and giving the latest information on personal eye care. Ask your optometrist about the best ways to keep your eyes healthy and protected.
