This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The condition usually affects both eyes. Symptoms are worse in the morning; there may be several exacerbations and remissions (1).

  • If contact dermatitis is the cause there is generally a history of atopy or there may be other areas of the dermatitis due to the application of the cosmetics.

Symptoms include:

  • anterior blepharitis
    • may be asymptomatic
    • ocular discomfort, soreness, burning, itching, mild photophobia
    • symptoms of dry eyes - blurred vision, poor tolerance of contact lenses
  • posterior blepharitis
    • may be asymptomatic
    • ocular discomfort, soreness, burning, stinging
    • symptoms of dry eyes - blurred vision, poor tolerance of contact lenses

Signs include:

  • staphylococcal blepharitis (anterior blepharitis)
    • erythema, oedema and telangiectasiae of the lid margin
    • crusting of anterior lid margin (scales at bases of lashes) which may form collarettes which encircle the lashes
    • recurrent styes and chalazia (rarely)
    • aqueous tear deficiency
    • conjunctival hyperaemia
    • in severe and long standing disease there can be
      • trichiasis - misdirection of eyelashes towards the eye
      • poliosis - depigmentation of the eyelashes
      • madarosis - loss of eyelashes
      • eyelid ulceration and eyelid and corneal scarring may occur
  • seborrhoeic blepharitis (anterior blepharitis)
    • erythema, edema, and telangiectasia of the lid margins (changes are less marked than in staphylococcal blepharitis)
    • oily scale and greasy crusting on the lashes
    • conjunctival hyperaemia
    • aqueous tear deficiency
  • Demodex folliculorum mite infestation (anterior blepharitis)
    • lid margin erythema
    • “cylindrical dandruff” - characteristic clear sleeve (collarette) covers base of lash, extending further up the lash than flat staphylococcal rosettes
    • misalignment, trichiasis or madarosis could occur due to persistent infestation of the lash follicles
  • MGD (posterior blepharitis)
    • thick and/or opaque secretion at Meibomian gland orifices (which is difficult or impossible to express by finger pressure)
    • dilated gland and formation of microliths and chalazia - due to plugging of the ducts
    • telangiectasias and lid scarring may be present
    • excess lipid, foamy discharge (1)
    • conjunctival hyperaemia

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.