Aetiology

The exact aetiology of the condition is unknown (1).

The following inflammatory and infectious conditions are known to cause blepharitis:

• inflammatory:
  • seborrhoeic dermatitis
  • meibomian gland dysfunction
  • atopic and contact dermatitis
  • rosacea
• infectious:
  • bacterial – most commonly S. aureus and S. epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes
  • viral – Molluscum contagiosum, herpes simplex or varicella zoster
  • parasitic – Demodex folliculorum mite infestation (1,2)

Reference:

• (1) Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J. Differential Diagnosis of the Swollen Red Eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Jul 15;92(2):106-12.
• (2) Jackson WB. Blepharitis: current strategies for diagnosis and management. Can J Ophthalmol. 2008;43(2):170-9.