Dry Eye/Blepharitis occurs most often when the meibomian glands on the eyelids become inflamed or clogged (meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD). Meibomian glands produce the lipid, or oil, that stabilize the tear film and prevent it from immediately evaporating. When the lipid layer is not present, tears will evaporate too quickly. Dry eye/Blepharitis can also develop when the eyelids do not close properly or when the lacrimal glands of the eye fail to produce enough lubricating tears.
Patients at risk include women experiencing age-related hormonal changes, those eating a diet that is low on vitamin A or low in omega-3 fatty acids, individuals with certain allergies, on medication for allergies, or being on other drugs where the dry eye/Blepharitis may be a side effect, like birth control pills or antidepressants. The prevalence of dry eye also increases with age, more than 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from dry eye.
Symptoms of Dry eye/Blepharitis can range from mild to severe and include eye discomfort or irritation, grittiness, the feeling of a foreign body in the eye, a burning or stinging sensation, continuous tearing, redness, discharge, itchiness, sensitivity to light, difficulty reading, or being on a computer, inability to wear contact lenses or a constant need for lubricating eye drops.
Artificial tear lubricating drops are recommended and may very well suffice for relatively mild cases. Artificial tears are non-prescription and available in preservative and preservative-free variants. There are a number of manufacturers. The products range from those that are very runny to drops that are much more viscous. Some New York City patients may prefer one particular variant over another. Dry Eye/Blepharitis patients that will have to use lubricating drops frequently or for a prolonged period however are encouraged to avoid drops with preservatives.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids like fish oil or flax oil is good for the mucous membranes and also for the eyes. These are readily available over-the-counter and are taken orally. Flaxseed oil is reported to be more effective in most cases and has the added advantage of being somewhat more palatable than fish oil.
Steroidal Drops may be used for more moderate cases but they do not offer a permanent solution as they cannot be taken in perpetuity. Restasis is another anti-inflammatory medicated drop that may provide some relief and help restore the meibomian glands to a more proper function.
Moisture Goggles may be used at night time, especially for patients whose eyelids are not shutting properly, who have dry eye/blepharitis problem. The goggles slow down the evaporation of the tear film, creating a moisture barrier that protects the eyes while sleeping. Their benefits can provide comfort to dry eye/blepharitis patients that will last right through the next day.
Punctal Plugs placed on the corner of the eyelids, on the tiny drainage ports where tears are siphoned from the eye’s surface, are very efficient in slowing down the rate at which the tear film is siphoned off and can provide much relief in more severe cases.
An in-office procedure that clears and unclogs blocked glands, allowing them to heal and return to a more healthy state can provide much assistance and benefit to patients suffering from MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction).
Lipiflow is another relatively new, in-office procedure for patients suffering from dry eye as a consequence of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The twelve minute, in-office procedure, stimulates, gently heats and massages the lids and glands directly. Lipiflow is a much more immediate approach vs. gradual benefits that may be derived from protracted and labor-intensive use of warm compresses. It cleans out and clears blocked meibomian glands in order to restore a more adequate function.
Testosterone Cream is recommended for chronic sufferers to address the imbalance of too much estrogen and not enough testosterone that is at the root of meibomian gland dysfunction. The cream, which has been used quite successfully, is applied topically on the lids themselves, at bedtime, to restore the glands to a healthy state and provide much-needed relief to dry eye/blepharitis.
NYC Dry Eye Specialists
Board-certified eye surgeon Dr. Sandra Belmont is a talented dry eye doctor in New York City. Dr Belmont provides dry eye treatment by implementing a number of these approaches simultaneously. Contact our Manhattan dry eye centre today to schedule a consultation and receive a personalized evaluation to assess the severity of your condition
What Is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis (blef-uh-RYE-tis) is an ocular surface disorder that consists of an inflammation of the eyelid margin. This results most often when the meibomian glands, the oil glands located near the base of the lids, close to the eyelashes (see illustration), get clogged. The condition is typically chronic and characterized by recurring acute flare-ups. Symptoms include swelling or thickening of the eyelids, scaling, crusting or redness on the lid margin, gritty eyes, missing or misdirected eyelashes, and most often, greasy or flaky scales at the base of the lashes. If not treated, the inflammation can lead to substantial notching and scarring of the lid margin.
Stages of Blepharitis
Patients that are at risk for Blepharitis include individuals with systemic diseases such as dermatitis, and patients with ocular surface disorders like dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), conjunctivitis or keratitis. The incidence of blepharitis, dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction also increases with age and with the use of certain medications. NYC patients who suffer from blepharitis can treat their condition by visiting Dr. Sandra Belmont and discussing the right treatment plan.
Treatments For Blepharitis
Blepharitis treatments differ depending on the severity of the case.
In mild cases, an at home, warm compress routine, along with lid hygiene and lid scrubbing (see our page for lid scrub instructions*) will suffice. Adhering to the routine can prove to be a bit much for some patients as it is rather labor intensive. Doing the compress while at the sink or in the shower may help in integrating it into a more viable daily routine. Over-the-counter lid cleaning pads may also be used for the lid scrub. It is important to remember here that the more diligent the patient is, the better the results will be.
Lipiflow
Lipiflow is a relatively new procedure available for moderate to more severe cases which is at present not covered by insurance. The 12 minutes, the in-office procedure works directly on the meibomian glands through a thermal pulsation system that applies gentle, controlled heat to the inner eyelid along with an adaptive pressure. These serve to unblock the meibomian glands on the eyelids and to encourage the body to restart the natural secretion and production of lipids (oils) produced by the meibomian glands that are necessary for a healthy tear film. Lipiflow is also used for the treatment of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) which can, when left untreated, lead to chronic blepharitis.
Blephex®
BlephEx is a painless, in-office treatment that Dr. Belmont performs for the management and prevention of blepharitis, a pathological condition where the eyelids and lid margins become inflamed due to an overgrowth of the normal bacteria that live on the lids and base of the eyelashes.
Blepharitis is considered to be the most undertreated eye disease. As it progresses, the ailment leads to redness, itching, constant eye irritation, inflammation, and swelling. Left untreated, the biofilm build up becomes a host to bacterial exotoxins that will adversely affect other structures in the lids including the tear ducts, lacrimal and meibomian glands and lead to evaporative dry eye disease, contact lens intolerance, meibomian gland dysfunction and corneal ulceration.
BlephEx thoroughly cleans the lid margins and removes the sugary biofilm that lets bad bacteria flourish. In the process, the overall health of the eyelids is greatly improved. With a healthier biofilm, the meibomian glands and tear ducts can begin to function more effectively once again. As this happens, the outer lipid layer of the tear film is stabilized and stops evaporating too rapidly and causing dry spots. Patients can start to produce more of their own tears to finally find relief from the chronic symptoms of blepharitis and dry eye disease.
The BlephEx instrument spins a patented, sterile micro-sponge on the edge of the eyelids, lid margin and lashes. A fresh, sterile, disposable micro-sponge is used for each individual lid. With great accuracy and safety, scurf and debris are removed. The eyelids are also exfoliated to promote a more hygienic lid margin and a restored, healthier biofilm. Numbing drops are used on the eyes prior to the procedure to insure patient comfort. Most patients report nothing more than a tickling sensation in the course of treatment. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes after which the eyes are thoroughly rinsed.
After the procedure, patients are instructed on how to maintain their clean eyelids with regular nightly lid hygiene. BlephEx can be repeated annually or in 4-6 month intervals if necessary to keep blepharitis in check where home treatments prove to be less than optimal.
For patients with moderate blepharitis who are about to undergo cataract surgery or laser vision correction, BlephEx is an ideal pre-operative treatment to decrease biofilm and bacterial exotoxins on the lid margins that may slow down recovery following surgery.
Uncloud Your Vision Today
If you are tired of looking at your loved ones’ faces and other images through a cloudy veil, start on your way to achieving unclouded vision today.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Belmont or to learn more about cataract surgery and your IOL options, please contact Belmont Eye Center by calling (212) 486-2020.
