EYELID DERMATITIS/ BLEPHARITIS

[LisaInMidwest]

I've had dry, burning, gritty, watering eyes daily for a while now. I use systane ultra as needed. and have been trying to find something gentle to moisturize the sensitive skin around my eyes.

About a week ago I developed a tender red spot between the inner corner of my eye and the bridge of my nose. it worsened over the next three days with the skin breaking down at the sorest point and the redness and swelling spreading to the upper eyelid. My eyelids itch and burn just like my eyes.

I went to see an ophthalmologist and he said I had eyelid dermatitis and prescribed oral antibiotics and an antibiotic/steroid ointment.  I recheck in 2 weeks to make sure its healing well and no infection has spread to the lacrimal sac or ducts.

We also talked about my dry eyes and that I am in the process of being evaluated for possible Sjogrens by a rheumatologist. He is going to do a Tearlab test when I return.

So, possibly this unpleasant, uncomfortable eye condition will lead the way to some clues to what is going on with my immune system. :-) I'll be hopeful!

Lisa

[LisaInMidwest]

Have any of you had experience with eyelid dermatitis or blepharitis?

Can you recommend any good eyelid safe moisturizers?

Anyone have a Tearlab osmolarity test done?

L.

[quietdynamics]

I had the "sand in the eye" sensation, tears falling like crazy.

I am volleying between Systane long lasting and Systane Balance right now. I like the product and the studies.
At night I also use Genteal Gel, drops go in first, then Gel. On somedays when eyes are sore, burning I will use a small dot, shut my eyes and roll them to distribute and find that soothing. If there is blur, it goes away in a few minutes. I put the gel in before my light gardening as well due to pollen and dust.  I see no reason not to use it on the "tender red spot between the inner corner of my eye and the bridge of my nose."
Sometimes I use a bit inside my very dry nose.

I wake sometime with crystals in corners edges of eyes .. so will ask my Dr. about the Tearlab test. I see mention of salt/dehydration. And I do dehydrate easily. I have to be more diligent about drinking 1.5-2 liters of water.

Sjogrens guide recommends "eye scrub' for care.. not really scrubbing sore eyes..more making sure to clear lids. I use No Tears Baby Shampoo.. so just do my whole face with it. Some suggest cotton balls, but when eyes are sore patients may be best to go slow.  Your Dr. can advise you.

"The problem with treating blepharitis can be that it tends to comeback.  Most treatments involve warm soaks and gentle cleaning and massage of the eyelids to open the blocked glands. Dr. Robert Fox from Scripps recommends the following steps to clean the lids:"

1.       Make a warm compress by dampening a clean washcloth with water and soaking your eyelid for a few minutes.
2.       Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of Johnson and Johnson no tears baby shampoo in a quart of water.
3.       Use a new warm washcloth and put it in this solution and then put the washcloth over your eyelids (with eyes closed).
4.       Next gently massage the washcloth over your eyes

Let us know how you make out with your appointment.
Best to you.

[LisaInMidwest]

thank you! :-)

I know the tearlab test only identifies how dry the eye is by level of osmolarity and not what causes the dryness. But to confirm there is a deficiency of proper hydration there may be helpful in diagnosing what I think is probably Sjogrens.

[quietdynamics]

My eyes have become so sensitive that even beyond eyes makeup some foundation scents, lotions or whatever will cause burning, tearing.

So for special occasion I again will use Genteal Gel before I even think about using anything near my eyes (I do have Ocular Rosacea).
Mascara use is rare and only on the tips of lashes, water based.
Wind, vents in cars have to be redirected .. you make adaptations.

https://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens/living-with-sjogrens/dry-eye-tips

Sometimes oral dryness is slow and insidious, are you sipping fluids, reaching for hard candies, gum more? Taste off?  Sense of smell?

[LisaInMidwest]

my eyes are so sensitive and leaky and my face is so dry I haven't worn makeup for ages...I never was an every day makeup person anyway. but know I never do.

I have mouth dryness too, drink water constantly. use zylimelts at night when it bad...have prescription fluoride toothpaste for using before bed for the enamel thinning the dentist saw. I did have a very sore cracked spot on front of tongue which has improved a bit. its still red and bumpy but not as sore.

[Sooki]

Just a thought - if you have any sun sensitivity, you might want to get some (cheap) computer glasses with both UV and yellow coatings ( to block low wavelength blue light).  I've been going through a "flare" (post surgery) and found that my eyes are very sensitive to computer, TV, and cellphone screens.  (And sunshine.)  It makes my eyelids swell and get red.  The glasses help a lot.  Amazon has a variety of $10 versions that work ok on computers.  I opted for the Gunnar gamer glasses as they're wraparound and keep out UV when I'm outside and it's too dark for sunglasses.

I've also been massaging my eyelids with vitamin D oil (from capsules).  It's grossly viscous and makes my vision blurry for awhile. The oil also seems to clean the lids.  After it has soaked in for awhile, I gently wipe it off with systane lid wipes.  It really conditions the lids. It also lessens the need for eye drops for awhile, as a little melts into the eye.  I find that eye drops can sometimes irritate me (like water on chapped skin). Another alternative might be nighttime eye ointment (e.g., Systane) used to massage lids.  Although over time, I found the vitamin E to be more soothing (no petroleum products in it).

Also, with the presence of infection, I would avoid using washcloths on the eyes.  They're never really clean.  Clean fingers with baby soap, etc. are probably better.  Warm compresses with plastic (like thera beads) can be washed between uses.  And lovely washable cold packs can be made from snack size ziplocks and Karo corn syrup.  I use a paper towels between me and the plastic.  I just got over an infection (steroid injection into the lid).

[LisaInMidwest]

Ouch, sooki, that sounds painful!

Thank you for the tips!

L

[araminta]

Dermatitis and blepharitis are two separate conditions.   I have certainly had blepharitis, which is infection of the tiny glands around the eyes, near the lashes.   The only thing that really helped me with this was very diluted tea tree oil.   I keep a bottle of 1 part t.t.oil to 10 parts rosewater (I was told to use distilled water but couldn't get hold of any, the rosewater is made using purified water so it seems to be OK).   When I want to use it I first use warm compresses on the eyes for 5-10 minutes.   I then put one teaspoon of the mixture into a small bowl and add a further 5 teaspoons of rosewater, then I warm the bowl in the microwave - it needs to be hot but of course not scalding.   I dip in a q-tip and run it gently along the rims of both eyes.    This may not be the answer for everyone but it helped me within a few days.

[LisaInMidwest]

Thank you for the tea tree oil suggestion! I'm not sure I have blepharitis for sure, but my lid is swollen above the lashes and I see some minute debris. It may be related to the dermatitis. I cleaned my eyelids with coconut oil last night because I didn't have anything else.
When I see the opthalmologist again we'll be talking about all of this.

Thank you!

L

[lorigacc]

I was having quite a bout with blepharitis this year.  It really was nasty. Started Xiidra and it seems to be helping. Also use Refrest PM gel at bedtime, and have a Bruder mask to use it things flare up again.  Good Luck, I know it is a awful condition.

[Sooki]

Cliradex Wipes are good for blepharitis - it contains a purified version of the active ingredient in Tea Tree oil.  It stings, but works well.

[bluegardenia]

i solved blepharitis with tea tree. posted many times here. i could not even open my eyes and in few days it was over

[LisaInMidwest]

Went for my recheck today. Eyelid is healing well. They did a tearlab and confirmed mild to moderate dryness. Dr started me on restasis and will see me in 3 months.

[kcount]

i solved blepharitis with tea tree. posted many times here. i could not even open my eyes and in few days it was over

Often times blepharitis is diagnosed when in reality there is are demodex mites present.  The use of tea tree oil and your quick response would lead one to believe you were fighting demodex.