{"id":1805,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/blepharitis\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:56:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:56:26","slug":"blepharitis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/blepharitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Blepharitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and When to See a Doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Blepharitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and When to See a Doctor<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Blepharitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and When to See a Doctor<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Eyelid<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Blepharitis<\/strong> (noun, pronounced blef-uh-RYE-tis)<\/em>: blepharitis is long-term inflammation of the eyelid margins, the edges of the lids where the eyelashes grow. It makes the lids red, swollen, itchy or sore, often with crusts or flakes at the base of the lashes, and it commonly causes gritty, irritated eyes. It is usually caused by bacteria, skin conditions or blocked oil glands in the lids, it is not contagious, and it is controlled rather than cured, mainly with daily eyelid hygiene.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Blepharitis: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What it is<\/span><\/dt>
    Inflammation of the eyelid margins<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Main types<\/span><\/dt>
    Anterior (front of the lid, at the lash roots) and posterior (the oil glands behind the lash line)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Common causes<\/span><\/dt>
    Bacteria on the lid skin, seborrhoeic dermatitis (a dandruff-type skin condition), meibomian gland dysfunction, Demodex mites, rosacea<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Typical symptoms<\/span><\/dt>
    Red, swollen, itchy or sore lids; gritty eyes; flakes or crusts on the lashes; lids stuck together on waking<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Contagious?<\/span><\/dt>
    No. The NHS states blepharitis cannot be spread to other people<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Cure?<\/span><\/dt>
    No lasting cure, but symptoms can usually be controlled. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says there is no cure, only ongoing management<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>First-line treatment<\/span><\/dt>
    Warm compress, gentle lid massage and daily eyelid cleaning, continued even after symptoms settle<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; for eyelid problems linked to blepharitis, an oculoplastic surgeon (at Laser Istanbul Clinic, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    What is blepharitis, and what are the types?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margin. It is very common: in surveys of eye-care clinicians, 37% to 47% of the patients seen had signs of it, according to EyeWiki, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s clinical wiki. It tends to be a chronic condition with flare-ups, and the mean age of patients with chronic blepharitis is about 50, though the staphylococcal form appears at younger ages.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    Doctors divide blepharitis by where the inflammation sits:<\/p>

    Type<\/th>Where<\/th>Typical causes and signs<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Anterior blepharitis<\/strong><\/th>The front edge of the lid, where the lashes grow<\/td>Staphylococcal:<\/strong> bacteria on the lid skin, with redness, swelling, hard crusts (collarettes) around the lash roots and, in some people, lost or misdirected lashes. Seborrhoeic:<\/strong> linked to dandruff-type skin; less redness, more greasy scaling. Demodex:<\/strong> tiny mites living in the lash follicles, typically with cylindrical, sleeve-like collarettes at the lash base<\/td><\/tr>
    Posterior blepharitis<\/strong><\/th>The inner lid margin, where the meibomian glands sit<\/td>Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD):<\/strong> the oil glands in the lids become blocked or produce poor-quality oil. The gland openings may look capped, dilated or plugged<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    Many people have a mixture of types at the same time, and a posterior problem often coexists with dry eye.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

    Blepharitis symptoms: what does it look and feel like?<\/h2><\/div>

    Blepharitis symptoms usually affect both eyes and are often worse in the morning. The most common are:<\/p>\n