Combat dry eye and blepharitis: Understand and treat these common eye conditions

Discover symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies for clearer, more comfortable vision.

Combat dry eye and blepharitis: Understand and treat these common eye conditions

Discover symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies for clearer, more comfortable vision.

Fix your dry eye and blepharitis and enjoy improved eye comfort and clarity

Discover solutions and relief for common eye conditions through comprehensive answers and guidance

Dry eye and blepharitis incidence / prevalence

Sharmina Khan has a special interest in Dry Eye and Blepharitis. Since 2020, SK Eye Clinic, located at 46 Wimpole Street, has been one of the few clinics in London to offer advanced treatments such as Lipiflow and Blephex. Her clients include women experiencing menopause, bankers, traders, lawyers and gamers using prolonged screen time. Sharmina takes a holistic approach with her clients and the treatments she recommends, believing that there is a solution for everyone who silently suffers from these conditions.

Dry eye and blepharitis are common eye conditions affecting millions worldwide. Studies suggest that up to 30% of the population may experience symptoms of dry eye, while blepharitis is estimated to affect around 30-50% of individuals at some point in their lives.

Symptoms include:

  • Watery, gritty eyes
  • Dandruff around the lashes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Fluctuations in vision
  • Inflammation
  • Contact lens discomfort
  • Difficulty opening your eyes in the morning

Dry eye and blepharitis are uncomfortable conditions that can severely impact on your daily life and even affect vision. They are often caused by a lack of eye hygiene and blockages in the gland that produces the lipid element of tears – crucial in order to keep the eye surface lubricated.

The tear film is made up of three layers: the mucus, aqueous and lipid layer. The lipid layer is produced by meibomian glands found among the lid margin which can often become blocked. This means the lipid layer is reduced and cannot prevent the aqueous layer from evaporating, causing the eyes to dry out and become itchy and sore.

Diagnosing dry eye and blepharitis involves a thorough examination by an eye care professional. This typically includes assessing symptoms, examining the eyes for signs of inflammation or infection, and evaluating tear quality and quantity. Specialised tests may be conducted to measure tear production, assess tear film stability, and examine the eyelids and tear ducts for abnormalities. These evaluations help determine the underlying cause of the conditions and guide the development of an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs. Early diagnosis is crucial for managing symptoms and preventing complications.

With a combination of in-clinic treatment and at-home management, dry and blepharitis can be thoroughly alleviated. After scanning the tear glands with imaging software Lipiscan, Sharmina Khan will formulate the best treatment plan for your individual requirements encompassing cleansing, heat and hydration.

Using a specialist vector thermal pulsation technology called Lipiflow to unblock the glands, lid margin exfoliation and Sharmina Khan’s rationalised regime of eye drops, most of the symptoms can be significantly reduced. Don’t suffer with sore, itchy eyes any longer!

What can make blepharitis worse?

Blepharitis symptoms can be worsened by certain behaviour and lifestyle traits. If you suffer from dry eye or blepharitis, it is a good idea to consider doing the following:

  • Reduce prolonged contact lens wear
  • Reduce screen-time
  • Avoid low-humidity environments if possible
  • Eat a diet rich in omega-3 and vitamin D

How serious is blepharitis?

It is an irritating and unsightly condition that, at worst, can obscure vision and this is typically reversible. It should not do any lasting damage to eyesight, unless complicated by corneal changes. If you are seeking eye surgery, it is important to treat your blepharitis first to reduce the risk of slowing recovery time from surgery and rarely vision loss.

Can dry eye and blepharitis lead to complications if left untreated?

Yes, if left untreated, they can lead to corneal damage, infections, vision problems, and discomfort. It’s essential to seek timely treatment to prevent complications.

Are there any lifestyle changes that can help manage dry eye and blepharitis?

Yes, lifestyle changes like staying hydrated, avoiding smoke and dry environments, taking breaks from screens, and using humidifiers can help manage dry eye and blepharitis.

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For more information about dry eye and blepharitis

Expand your knowledge. (These links will take you off our website.)

What is dry eye? Dry eye is an eye condition caused by a problem with tears. Dry eye can make your eye feel uncomfortable, red, scratchy, and irritated. Despite the name, having dry eye can also make your eyes watery. Typically, dry eye doesn’t cause a permanent change in your vision. It can make your eyesight blurry for short periods of time, but the blurriness will go away on its own or improve when you blink.

This seminal paper covers all you need to know about dry eyes, how they develop, the causes, blepharitis, diagnosis, and more. Click here for more information.

Blepharitis and dry eye disease have been thought to be two distinct diseases, and evaporative dry eye distinct from aqueous insufficiency. In this treatise, we propose a new way of looking at dry eye, both evaporative and insufficiency, as the natural sequelae of decades of chronic blepharitis. Dry eye is simply the late form and late manifestation of one disease, blepharitis. Click here for more information.

Sharmina Khan

MBBS(Lond) MSc FHEA FRCOphth DipCRS CertLRS, Consultant Eye Surgeon

Hi, I’m Sharmina Khan

I am a specialist Cataract & Lens Consultant Surgeon based in London at Moorfields Private Eye Hospital.

I have carried out over 7000+ cataract/lens procedures in the last 10 years across both my private and NHS practices.

In my private clinic I offer my clients bespoke Premium Cataract Care Pathways. There are options so that you can achieve your dreams of better vision and more, according to your lifestyle needs.