Blepharitis

[KYMOM]

Had an appointment with the eye doc today.  Cataracts have progressed a little but not enough to warrant surgery at this time.  The doc did every test imaginable on my eyes.  Then he showed me a computer pic of a closeup of my eye lid and lashes.  Had what looked like dandruff flakes on lashes.  He said he had some wipes that he could give me that would help.  I told him it looked like dandruff and he said that basically that is what it is.  Tried to ask questions like what is it and what causes it, etc.  At no time did he use a specific word or phrase to describe what it was.  He indicated that I just needed to use the wipes or I could get a foam to clean the eyes.  I mentioned that when I was out all day with the teens in the mall (all day mall does not happen that frequently) that my eyes would be red all around the rim.  Did not look attractive.  He seemed to have an AHA moment and said that that just confirms it.  I have gone to this doc for many years and know he and his wife through our older children.  He gave me OcuSoft wipe samples and also samples for dry eyes. 

Came right home and used google for "flakes on eyelashes".  Up popped Blepharitis.  The symptoms were incredible.  I have had this for over six months or more and attributed it to the Sjogren's. 

Question is are there others here who have this?  Even though in my limited search I could find not link to Sjogren's, could this be related?  Did not have this problem before the Sjogren's diagnosis.

Also, a thank you to those of you who mentioned baby shampoo with regard to eye care.  I went to the pharmacy to pick up the OcuSoft and because of the price compared the ingredients to baby shampoo.  Close enough.  OcuSoft $13.00 to $19.99 Johnson's Baby Shampoo sale price for a large bottle $2.99. 
Roxanne

[kcoffiner]

Blepharitis is common in Sjogrens patients. If unmanaged blepharitis can lead to MGD which is oil gland disfunction. Tears consist of two layers, the aqeous component which is produced by the lacrimal gland and directly effected in SJS and the oil component produced by the meimbonian glands. The oil component helps the tears not evaporate as quickly. In blepharitis the lids are inflamed directly affecting the gland abilities to produce oil. In addition to baby shampoo warm compresses should help as well as gland expression if the doctor thinks it is waranted.
K

[Scottietottie]

Hi Roxanne 

I got dxd with blepaharitis when I first saw an opthamologist. (About 2 years after SjS dx) He told me to use hot damp compresses on my eyes for about 5 minutes twice a day and then to massage the lid lines from nose to outer eye - using a finger. Then he said to use the baby shampoo diluted 1:3 with tepid water.

It helped.

Take care - Scottie 

[chrisgirl]

Yes, I was told I had this last month when I saw the optho.  She told me to use warm compresses and it has helped.  Strange thing is, I've had this off and on for over ten years and I am new to SJS.  Had some symptoms for years off and on, just recenlty dryness issues.  go back to rheumy tomorrow for results of tests, but he and neuro. are thinking SJS.  Hope the shampoo helps.

[KYMOM]

K, Scottie and Chrisgirl, Thanks.  I left the office feeling like I had lice or the equivalent.  Did not get satisfactory answers from the eye doc.  Will have to do more research.  Did not know if it was Sjogren's related.  Roxanne

[Sparkle]

I have had blepharitis for about 10 years. M eye doctor gave me Ocusoft which is a pre-moistened eyelid cleanser to use on my eyelids.

I also get chalazions really easily due to the blepharitis.

Sparkle

[dbab]

I have had blepharits also and my ophtho doc also told me to clean my lids with diluted baby shampoo which I do.  I haven't had another case of it since I've been doing this for the last couple of years.

[Wynter]

I am wondering if I have this. My eyes are really dry and the top lids stay somewhat swollen and the bottom lids are slightly red. However, I don't think I have any of the dandruff on them, at least I haven't seen any. Also, my eyelashes have thinned. I do clean my eyes, but use eye makeup remover. Could this be blepharitis?

[KYMOM]

Sparkle, Looked Chalazions up on Google.  You poor thing.  This looks rough.  Had never heard of this either.

Wynter,  This has been going on for me for quite some time, I just did not realize what it was or could be.  When something comes on gradually and is just there you don't think anything of it you just deal with it.  With me it was dryness on the part of my eyelids where my eyelashes are.  This area would get red when I was out all day like in a mall.  I was constantly rubbing my eyes.  Also, in the morning I had to wet my eyes because of the crustiness.  As with anything I found a list of symptoms on google.  Thanks to previous posts I bought baby shampoo and used it to wash my eyes.  After one day I can feel the difference.  I don't wear makeup because of allergies.  Thinning eyelashes is a symptom as are the dry eyes and the red lids.  Roxanne

I find it interesting that others here also have this.  Still wonder if this is related to Sjogren's.  If you put twenty five women without AI in a room I wonder how many would have even heard of blepharitis.

[Sparkle]

The chalazions are a pain, but usually manageable with hot compresses. I did however, have to get one surgically removed.

I also wonder if blepharitis is related to Sjogrens, or if the number of Sjogrens patients that have it is the same as the general population.I looked it up in The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook and on page 118 it says the following:

"Many patients with dry eye have blepharitis, which is also known as Meibomian gland dysfunction. The dysfunction of these glands located at the edges of the eyelids causes excessive tear evaporation and dryness. Treatments directed to improving the function of these important glands included the application of hot compresses to the lids and cleansing of the lid margins with a moist cloth and/or a cotton-tipped applicator. In addition, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotic such as tetracycline or minocycline, taken by mouth, can provide considerable relief from symptoms."

I don't think this answers the question of whether there is a causal relationship, maybe the info is somewhat helpful.

[Wynter]

Interesting that taking an antibiotic will help with the problem. I take doxycycline, which I think is related to tetrocycline and minocycline (for some reason I developed acne on my back), but it hasn't helped with the eyes.

[Shell]

Hi,

I have blepharitis/meibomian gland dysfunction as well, though at present it's not bothering me too much.  I'd worn contacts for years and had several episodes of corneal abrasions and keratoconjunctivitis.  I finally ditched the contacts in frustration and have not had any recurrence of those problems, thankfully.  Anyway, I am fortunate to be near Johns Hopkins and am now followed by an excellent ocular immunologist there.  His recommendations are the compresses, lid hygiene, and doxycycline.  I haven't taken the doxycycline because I hope to get pregnant soon (it's contraindicated).  There's lots of info about the action of it and treatment strategies if you google blepharitis and doxycycline.  Also, I think it may be prescribed as an ointment as well as an oral med, seems like my doc mentioned that, but I could be mistaken.  BTW, no Sjogren's dx for me--in limbo with my symptoms.

Good luck!
Shell