Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link

Blepharitis

By

Richard C. Allen

, MD, PhD, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
View PATIENT EDUCATION
Topic Resources

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins that may be acute or chronic. Symptoms and signs include itching and burning of the eyelid margins with redness and edema. Diagnosis is by history and examination. Acute ulcerative blepharitis is usually treated with topical antibiotics or systemic antivirals. Acute nonulcerative blepharitis is occasionally treated with topical corticosteroids. Chronic disease is treated with tear supplements, warm compresses, and occasionally oral antibiotics (eg, a tetracycline or azithromycin) for meibomian gland dysfunction or with eyelid hygiene and tear supplements for seborrheic blepharitis.

Etiology of Blepharitis

Blepharitis may be acute (ulcerative or nonulcerative) or chronic (caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, seborrheic blepharitis, Demodex infestation).

Acute blepharitis

Acute ulcerative blepharitis is usually caused by bacterial infection (usually staphylococcal) of the eyelid margin at the origins of the eyelashes; the lash follicles and the meibomian glands are also involved. It may also be due to a virus (eg, herpes simplex, varicella zoster). Bacterial infections typically have more crusting than the viral type, which usually has more of a clear serous discharge.

Acute nonulcerative blepharitis is usually caused by an allergic reaction involving the same area (eg, atopic blepharodermatitis and seasonal allergic blepharoconjunctivitis), and causes the following:

  • Intense itching and inflammation (usually along the edges of both eyelids);

  • Rubbing (a response to itching that can increase conjunctival itching and exacerbate atopic dermatitis [eczema] of the eyelid); or

  • Contact sensitivity (dermatoblepharoconjunctivitis).

Chronic blepharitis

Chronic blepharitis is noninfectious inflammation of unknown cause. Meibomian glands in the eyelid produce lipids (meibum) that reduce tear evaporation by forming a lipid layer on top of the aqueous tear layer. In meibomian gland dysfunction, the lipid composition is abnormal, and gland ducts and orifices become inspissated with hard, waxy plugs. Many patients have rosacea Rosacea Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by facial flushing, telangiectasias, erythema, papules, pustules, and, in severe cases, rhinophyma. Diagnosis is based on the characteristic... read more Rosacea and recurrent hordeola or chalazia Chalazion and Hordeolum (Stye) Chalazia and hordeola (styes) are sudden-onset localized swellings of the eyelid. A chalazion is caused by noninfectious meibomian gland occlusion, whereas a hordeolum usually is caused by infection... read more Chalazion and Hordeolum (Stye) .

Many patients with seborrheic blepharitis have seborrheic dermatitis Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory condition of skin regions with a high density of sebaceous glands (eg, face, scalp, sternum). The cause is unknown, but species of Malassezia... read more Seborrheic Dermatitis of the face and scalp or acne rosacea. Secondary bacterial colonization often occurs on the scales that develop on the eyelid margin. Meibomian glands can become obstructed.

Most patients with meibomian gland dysfunction or seborrheic blepharitis have increased tear evaporation and secondary keratoconjunctivitis sicca Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is chronic, bilateral desiccation of the conjunctiva and cornea due to an inadequate tear film. Symptoms include itching, burning, irritation, and photophobia. Diagnosis... read more Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca , also known as dry eye. Demodex (folliculorum and brevis species) infestation is also a common cause of chronic blepharitis.

Chronic blepharitis can also occur in patients with eyelid carcinoma (especially if blepharitis is unilateral and there is loss of eyelashes) or immune-mediated conditions such as ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid is a chronic, bilateral, progressive scarring and shrinkage of the conjunctiva with opacification of the cornea. Early symptoms are hyperemia and irritation... read more Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid .

Symptoms and Signs of Blepharitis

Symptoms common to all forms of blepharitis include itching and burning of the eyelid margins and conjunctival irritation with lacrimation, photosensitivity, and foreign body sensation. Itching is more common in allergic than infectious causes. Symptoms tend to be worse in the early morning than those of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which tend to be worse toward the end of the day.

Acute blepharitis

In acute ulcerative blepharitis, small pustules may develop in eyelash follicles and eventually break down to form shallow marginal ulcers. Tenacious adherent crusts leave a bleeding surface when removed. During sleep, eyelids can become glued together by dried secretions. Recurrent ulcerative blepharitis can cause eyelid scars and loss or misdirection (trichiasis Trichiasis Trichiasis is an anatomic misalignment of eyelashes, which rub against the globe, in a patient with no entropion. Trichiasis is most often idiopathic, but known causes include blepharitis, posttraumatic... read more Trichiasis ) of eyelashes.

In acute nonulcerative blepharitis, eyelid margins become edematous and erythematous; eyelashes may become crusted with dried serous fluid.

Chronic blepharitis

In meibomian gland dysfunction, examination reveals dilated, inspissated gland orifices that, when pressed, exude a waxy, thick, yellowish secretion. In seborrheic blepharitis, greasy, easily removable scales develop on eyelid margins. Most patients with seborrheic blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction have symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is chronic, bilateral desiccation of the conjunctiva and cornea due to an inadequate tear film. Symptoms include itching, burning, irritation, and photophobia. Diagnosis... read more Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca , such as foreign body sensation, grittiness, eye strain and fatigue, and blurring with prolonged visual effort. In Demodex infestation, patients may have chronic blepharitis that has not responded to standard treatments; symptoms include redness, inflammation, itching, and recurrent styes. Examination in Demodex infestation reveals cylindrical sleeves on the eyelashes, usually at the base.

Diagnosis of Blepharitis

  • Slit-lamp examination

Diagnosis is usually by slit-lamp examination Slit-lamp examination The eye can be examined with routine equipment, including a standard ophthalmoscope; thorough examination requires special equipment and evaluation by an ophthalmologist. History includes location... read more . Chronic blepharitis that does not respond to treatment may require biopsy to exclude eyelid tumors or immune-mediated conditions that can simulate the condition.

Treatment of Blepharitis

  • Antimicrobials for acute ulcerative blepharitis; warm compresses and sometimes topical corticosteroids for acute nonulcerative blepharitis

  • For chronic blepharitis, treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, warm compresses, cleansing of eyelids, and sometimes topical or systemic antibiotics as clinically indicated

  • An ectoparasiticide (eg, lotilaner) for suspected Demodex infestation

Acute blepharitis

Acute ulcerative blepharitis is treated with an antibiotic ointment (eg, bacitracin/polymyxin B or erythromycin) (1 Treatment reference Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins that may be acute or chronic. Symptoms and signs include itching and burning of the eyelid margins with redness and edema. Diagnosis is by history... read more Treatment reference ). Acute viral ulcerative blepharitis is treated with systemic antivirals (eg, for herpes simplex, acyclovir; for varicella zoster, famciclovir or valacyclovir).

Treatment of acute nonulcerative blepharitis begins with avoiding the offending action (eg, rubbing) or substance (eg, new eye drops). Warm compresses over the closed eyelid may relieve symptoms and speed resolution. If swelling persists > 24 hours, topical corticosteroids (eg, fluorometholone ophthalmic ointment) can be used.

Chronic blepharitis

The initial treatment for both meibomian gland dysfunction and seborrheic blepharitis is directed toward eyelid hygiene and warm compresses, which melt the waxy plugs. Occasionally, eyelid massage is needed to extrude trapped secretions and coat the ocular surface.

If needed, additional treatment for seborrheic blepharitis includes gentle cleansing of the eyelid margin (lid scrubs) twice a day with a cotton swab dipped in a dilute solution of baby shampoo (2 to 3 drops in ½ cup of warm water) or with commercially available wipes and washes that contain ingredients such as a gentle eyelid cleanser, tea tree and coconut oils, or hypochlorous acid 0.01%. A topical antibiotic ointment (erythromycin, bacitracin/polymyxin B or drops such as azithromycin 1.0% or sulfacetamide 10%) may be added to reduce bacterial counts on the eyelid margin when cases are unresponsive to weeks of eyelid hygiene.

Blepharitis associated with Demodex infestation should be initially treated with topical low-concentration tea tree oil or hypochlorous acid. If the condition is unresponsive to these over-the-counter remedies, an ectoparasiticide can be prescribed (1 Treatment reference Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins that may be acute or chronic. Symptoms and signs include itching and burning of the eyelid margins with redness and edema. Diagnosis is by history... read more Treatment reference ).

In patients with recurrent or refractory symptoms, oral antibiotics such as azithromycin or a tetracycline (eg, doxycycline) with alternative dosing regimens guided by an ophthalmologist may be required.

Secondary keratoconjunctivitis sicca Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is chronic, bilateral desiccation of the conjunctiva and cornea due to an inadequate tear film. Symptoms include itching, burning, irritation, and photophobia. Diagnosis... read more Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca may also develop when dysfunctional meibomian glands produce a poor oil layer, resulting in increased tear evaporation. Tear supplements during the day, bland ointments (eg, petroleum jelly) at night and, if necessary, punctal plugs (inserts that obstruct the puncta and thus decrease tear drainage) are effective in most patients.

Treatment reference

Prognosis for Blepharitis

Acute blepharitis most often responds to treatment but may recur, develop into chronic blepharitis, or both. Chronic blepharitis is indolent, recurrent, and resistant to treatment. Exacerbations are inconvenient, uncomfortable, and cosmetically unappealing but do not usually result in corneal scarring or vision loss. Long-term maintenance and preventive care with warm compresses and eyelid hygiene is critical.

Key Points

  • Common forms of blepharitis include acute ulcerative (often secondary to staphylococcal or herpes virus infection), acute nonulcerative (usually allergic), and chronic (often with meibomian gland dysfunction, seborrheic dermatitis, or Demodex infestation).

  • Secondary keratoconjunctivitis sicca usually accompanies chronic blepharitis.

  • Common symptoms include itching and burning of the eyelid margins and conjunctival irritation with lacrimation, photosensitivity, and foreign body sensation.

  • Diagnosis is usually by slit-lamp examination.

  • Consider alternate diagnoses, including eyelid carcinoma, if chronic blepharitis is unilateral.

  • Supportive treatments are indicated (eg, warm compresses, eyelid cleansing, and treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca as needed).

  • Specific medication treatments can include topical antimicrobials for acute ulcerative blepharitis, systemic antivirals if viral infection is suspected, and topical corticosteroids for persistent acute nonulcerative blepharitis.

  • Treatment of chronic blepharitis includes treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca with tear supplements, use of warm compresses and, topical or systemic antibiotics as needed.

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Emtet-500, Panmycin, Sumycin
Azasite, Zithromax, Zithromax Powder, Zithromax Single-Dose , Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax, Zmax Pediatric
XDEMVY
AK-Poly Bac, Double Antibiotic , Polycin, Polycin-B , Polysporin, Polysporin Ophthalmic, Polytracin, Simply Neosporin
A/T/S, Akne-mycin, E.E.S., Emcin Clear , EMGEL, E-Mycin, ERYC, Erycette, Eryderm , Erygel, Erymax, EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythra Derm , Erythrocin, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Erythrocin Stearate, Ilosone, Ilotycin, My-E, PCE, PCE Dispertab , Romycin, Staticin, T-Stat
Sitavig, Zovirax, Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment, Zovirax Powder, Zovirax Suspension
Famvir
Valtrex
Eflone, Flarex, Fluor-Op, FML, FML Forte, FML Forte S.O.P.
AK-Sulf , Bleph-10, Carmol, Cetamide, Klaron, Mexar, Ocu-Sul , Ovace, Ovace Plus, RE-10 , Rosula NS, Seb-Prev, Sodium Sulamyd, Sulf-10
Acticlate, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak, Avidoxy, Doryx, Doxal, Doxy 100, LYMEPAK, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox 1x, Morgidox 2x , Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat, TARGADOX, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP