Anyone had success in curing or well managing "Blepharitis"? My aunt is 100. Her HMO is just not able to effectively treat this problem.
She has had this condition for 2 years now, and before I approach other medical institutions and spending huge money, I am listening to suggestions. Please tell me your stories of journies.
A friend of mine has this and it is daily or more often "scrubbing" her eye lids with special eye wipes. Other than daily scrubbing there is no other option and no "cure"
"An inflammation of the eyelid that affects the eyelashes or tear production. Blepharitis commonly occurs when the tiny oil glands of the inner eyelid become inflamed. It often occurs along with other skin conditions or allergies. CommonMore than 200,000 US cases per year Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured Requires a medical diagnosis Lab tests or imaging rarely required Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong"
There were residents in the nursing home that we washed eyelids with diluted baby shampoo ( followed by a rinse ) once a day forever to keep it at bay .
This condition of the eyelids along the lash line is notoriously hard to treat in the aging. This is a matter of the eye lid lining becoming so clogged overtimes in terms of glands and ducts, and the skin surrounding so extremely fragile that nothing works. People tell them to put on warm packs and they often come to ER with burns of the eyelids due to their inability to feel the heat, and the fragility of the skin.
Over time some infection sets in, and treating this with antibiotics can set up a fungal response that puts the poor senior in a mad circle of fungal infection, then bacterial, then fungal. The best thing to do is find the best eye doc one can and stay on it with recommended treatment. I am so sorry for this. But just walking the streets where you meet up with elders will show you at a glance how many are beset by this troublesome condition.
Does she scrub her eyelids with something like this? https://www.amazon.com/OCuSOFT-Scrub-Original-Pre-Moistened-Count/dp/B00NNZRJ2G This is what my eye doc told me to use when I had it. I think I also had ointment to apply afterwards but I can’t remember what it was
My Mom was having this problem in her early 90s and did exactly what the others posted. It eventually went away.
She would also get chalazions, which often accompany blepharitis.
"If self-care measures aren't enough, your doctor might suggest prescription treatments, including:
- Medications that fight infection. Antibiotics applied to the eyelid have been shown to provide relief of symptoms and resolve bacterial infection of the eyelids. These are available in several forms, including eyedrops, creams and ointments. If you don't respond to topical antibiotics, your doctor might suggest an oral antibiotic.
- Medications to control inflammation. Steroid eyedrops or ointments are used for this, generally only for people who don't respond to other therapies. Your doctor might prescribe both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medications that affect the immune system. Topical cyclosporine (Restasis) has been shown to offer relief of some signs and symptoms of blepharitis.
Treatments for underlying conditions. Blepharitis caused by seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea or other diseases might be controlled by treating the underlying disease."
Source: Mayoclinic.org
If I remember correctly, my Mom was also given topical antibiotic ointment or drops. Although it says this is a chronic condition that usually doesn't go away, my Mom's did. She is a retired RN and was very diligent about her home treatment. She hasn't had a recurrence in 2 years.
Warm water soaks to eyes to loosen any crust . Mix alittle baby shampoo with water , dip soft cloth in the mixture , use the cloth to gently clean eye lids , especially where eyelashes meet the lid . ( I used cotton eye rounds , one for each eye .) Use a new cloth to rinse with water . We used to do this for residents in the nursing home I worked at .
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Other than daily scrubbing there is no other option and no "cure"
Blepharitis commonly occurs when the tiny oil glands of the inner eyelid become inflamed. It often occurs along with other skin conditions or allergies.
CommonMore than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging rarely required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong"
Looks like its not curable.
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Over time some infection sets in, and treating this with antibiotics can set up a fungal response that puts the poor senior in a mad circle of fungal infection, then bacterial, then fungal.
The best thing to do is find the best eye doc one can and stay on it with recommended treatment. I am so sorry for this. But just walking the streets where you meet up with elders will show you at a glance how many are beset by this troublesome condition.
She would also get chalazions, which often accompany blepharitis.
"If self-care measures aren't enough, your doctor might suggest prescription treatments, including:
- Medications that fight infection. Antibiotics applied to the eyelid have been shown to provide relief of symptoms and resolve bacterial infection of the eyelids. These are available in several forms, including eyedrops, creams and ointments.
If you don't respond to topical antibiotics, your doctor might suggest an oral antibiotic.
- Medications to control inflammation. Steroid eyedrops or ointments are used for this, generally only for people who don't respond to other therapies. Your doctor might prescribe both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medications that affect the immune system. Topical cyclosporine (Restasis) has been shown to offer relief of some signs and symptoms of blepharitis.
Treatments for underlying conditions. Blepharitis caused by seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea or other diseases might be controlled by treating the underlying disease."
Source: Mayoclinic.org
If I remember correctly, my Mom was also given topical antibiotic ointment or drops. Although it says this is a chronic condition that usually doesn't go away, my Mom's did. She is a retired RN and was very diligent about her home treatment. She hasn't had a recurrence in 2 years.
Mix alittle baby shampoo with water , dip soft cloth in the mixture , use the cloth to gently clean eye lids , especially where eyelashes meet the lid . ( I used cotton eye rounds , one for each eye .)
Use a new cloth to rinse with water .
We used to do this for residents in the nursing home I worked at .