Blepharitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the eyelids caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria living along the lid and the base of the eyelashes. Anyone can get blepharitis at any age, but the prevalence increases with age, since as we get older, we make fewer natural antibodies in our tears.
This overgrowth of bacteria causes crusting along the eyelid, and creates a sticky environment that traps dead skin cells and other debris among the eyelashes. Since the eyelids are difficult to clean, this overgrowth of bacteria, scurf and debris can accumulate over many years causing many of the following symptoms:
• Itching or scratchy eyes
• Foreign body sensation
• Tearing
• Crusting
• Redness/inflammation
• Mattering
• Dry eyes
• Eye rubbing
• Eye irritation
This environment alllows even more bacteria to flourish, not only causing a multitude of irritating symptoms, but eventually chronic inflammation. The inflammation, in turn, adversely affects all of the structures in the eyelid, namely, the tear glands. Constant eye irritation, foreign body sensation and chronic dry eye disease are the end result if not treated.
BlephEx™ is a painless in-office procedure performed at Eye Surgical Associates. The revolutionary new patented BlephEx™ equipment is used to very precisely and carefully remove scurf and debris and exfoliate your eyelids.
After the procedure, the patient is instructed on how to maintain their clean eyelids with regular nightly lid hygiene. Since home treatments are only semi-effective, the procedure is typically repeated at 4-6 month intervals.