Blepharitis

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids (1). It can be acute or chronic but typically the condition is chronic, intermittent (with exacerbations and remissions) and affects both eyes (2).

Chronic blepharitis can be further divided into:

• staphylococcal (usually ulcerative)
• seborrhoeic (frequently associated with seborrhoea of the scalp, brows and ears)
• mixed staphylococcal seborrhoeic
• meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) (1,2)

Some clinicians classify according to the anatomic location of the affected part of the eyelid:

• anterior blepharitis:
  • affects the anterior lid margin and base of the lashes (1)
  • includes staphylococcal, seborrhoeic blepharitis and Demodex folliculorum mite infestation (3)
• posterior blepharitis:
  • affects the posterior lid margin
  • MGD is a subset because it affects the oil glands in posterior lid
• marginal blepharitis

Rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are often associated with this condition (3).

Reference:

• (1) Lindsley K et al. Interventions for chronic blepharitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD005556. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005556.pub2. Accessed 11 March 2022.
• (2) Jackson WB. Blepharitis: current strategies for diagnosis and management. Can J Ophthalmol. 2008;43(2):170-9.
• (3) Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J. Differential Diagnosis of the Swollen Red Eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Jul 15;92(2):106-12.