BLEPHARITIS

How can I treat blepharitis?

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• TheraTears Sterilid Eye Cleaner is a foaming cleanser which can be used on surface of the eyes. It contains a plant oil, linolol, which has antibacterial action. The foam can and should be used daily and must be washed off after use

• Theratears Sterilid Spray contains dilute hypochlorous acid, a substance found in our body's own white cells that is used to fight infection. The spray can be left on.

• Antibiotic drops (Chlorsig or Ciloxan) may be used to clear the excessive bacteria in the beginning

• Anti-inflammatory drops (FML or Maxidex) may also be used to reduce the inflammation. These are short term options as they can have serious side effects

• Manuka honey drops (Optimel) have an antibacterial action and are helpful for some, but they sting

• If resistant to all these treatments, long term low dose oral antibiotics like Doxycycline may be tried.

• The key to treatment is to maintain it even once the inflammation has settled, or blepharitis tends to be a relapsing, recurring condition.

The underlying dry eye condition, which is usually present, also needs to be treated, or the blepharitis will recur.

This is best achieved with the use of regular:

• Preservative free lubricant eye drops, which dilute the salty tears, lubricate the eye and help the ocular surface regenerate, and

• Tears again spray, which coats the tear film with a fatty layer, stabilising the tears and reducing evaporation. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.