Blepharitis
The doctor has diagnosed that you have a condition
of the eyelids called ‘‘BLEPHARITIS’’ (pronounced
BLEF-A-RY-TIS).
This is a chronic condition affecting the eyelids and
can cause redness, swelling, itching, discomfort,
dryness or watering of the eyes. In the longer term it
can cause loss or misdirection of the eyelashes.
Blepharitis is a chronic condition, which means it will
never go away. It can be treated and controlled but can
never be fully cured.
The mainstay of treatment is ‘lid hygiene’ which you
need to practice regularly and diligently ‘to keep you
eyes more comfortable’.
If any of the following information is unclear please
contact the eye clinic department on 01253 953473.
Warm Compress
Apply a warm, clean, facecloth to your closed lids
gently for five or ten minutes, at least twice a day.
You can either use a towel soaked in warm water
or commercially available ‘eye bag’. This will help to
soften any secretions or crusts on the lashes and lids
and open up blocked glands.
Cleaning your eyelids
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after you
have cleaned your eyelids.
• Dip a cotton bud in a cup of boiled cooled water
and scrub your eyelids near and between your
eyelashes to remove the crusting. Try to avoid
touching your eye with the cotton bud.
• Alternatively, you can wrap a clean flannel around
your finger and use this to scrub the eyelashes
instead of cotton buds.
Finish off by rinsing your lids in clean water. Do this
twice daily and then when things have settled, once
daily.
Apply any eye medication prescribed by the doctor
after performing warm compress and lid cleaning.
Do not share your facecloth or towel with anyone.
Remove make-up before going to bed.
Change make-up supplies every three to six months.
Ointment
You may have been prescribed eye drops to moisturise
your eyes or an ointment to put into your eyes and / or
the eyelids. This may be an antibiotic with or without a
steroid to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
This should be applied as prescribed by the doctor.
The ointment can be put on the edges of the eyelid
and over the lashes either with a clean fingertip or
using a cotton bud.
It does not matter if the ointment goes in the eye.
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Author Ophthalmology Department
Approved by Ophthalmology Directorate Meeting
Date of publication 13/11/2025
Review Date 01/11/2028
Reference No PL/228 (v5)
