New diagnosis : I was wondering if anyone has... - PBC Foundation

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New diagnosis

Jennyhadenough profile image
22 Replies

I was wondering if anyone has heard of blepharitis?

I was surprised when I was diagnosed with it. I have never had flaky eye lashes or signs of it.

It’s inflammation in the oil glands near the eye lashes. I’m so tired of hear that darn word. “Inflammation”.

I have a flare and I’m trying to figure how long it takes to clear up.

I have no flaky eye debris. It just a red puffy itchy eye lid for now

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Jennyhadenough
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22 Replies
Lizard28 profile image
Lizard28

I was diagnosed with that as well while attending eye clinic for very dry eyes. I don’t have flaky eye debris, just swollen eye lids and very red eye. It flares up every few months and I faithfully clean my eyes twice a day. I use a solution I got from the Boots and clean my lids with a cotton bud. Consultant said to use a hot flannel which didn’t help me. I occasionally need an antibiotic which the chemists won’t sell you now. I go to my nearest optician and he prescribed one. Or atm just phone my GP as opticians are closed. Usually it clears up quickly with ointment antibiotics. It’s such a pain, I’ve woken up with red eye today again, will clean it a bit more, you feel as if you have constantly something in your eye. If it doesn’t clear up in a week I will make a call to the doc again. Hope it clears up quickly for you.

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Lizard28

I’m sorry that you have to deal so often. My eye dr told me during a routine eye exam. I did have itchy eyes. He told me to order some tea tree foam for it. My eyes felt fine. I was able to wear makeup again. It’s weird. It came on real about a month after diagnosis. I messaged my dr for help. I did manage to fine a walk in clinic opened and was given a prescription ointment. My eye isn’t red at all. Just my right eye lid.

May I ask if you are able to wear eye makeup

Lizard28 profile image
Lizard28 in reply to Jennyhadenough

Hi, yes I do wear eye makeup but clean it off thoroughly at night. I have punctual plugs in my eyes for dry eyes, maybe the combination doesn’t help me. My optician looked under my eyelid as well and told me it was all bumpy and also gave me other drops in case it was an allergy. I couldn’t do without my eye-makeup, I don’t wear it to the clinic. I was supposed to get checked in April but never got the appointment, no idea when that will happen. Think it’s a case of cleaning the oil of your eyelids, I was told baby shampoo is good as well but I defo find the Blephasol and a cotton bud to be easier. The wipes were too big and were costly. This bottle cost around £8 I think but is lasting for months.

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Lizard28

May I ask what kind of makeup and remover you use?

I read hypoallergenic. I also read to use water base makeup remover because oil base can cause a flare. Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it

Lizard28 profile image
Lizard28 in reply to Jennyhadenough

I use Clinique, my skin is super sensitive, I’ve tried loads of different products and find Clinique suits me the best. You think you have it under control then wham it comes back for no reason, I change my brushes often and even wash them thoroughly every week. I think I try and cover everything but once you have this it’s just a matter of controlling it, a bit like my dry eyes, it won’t ever go away.😟

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Lizard28

Thank you so much for your quick response

Dr Google sorta scared me some. Will this start in one eye then move to the other eye

I never wake up with crusty eyes or stuck together eyes. Also it says that it takes weeks to three months to go away.

Can you guide me to some reading material

Itchy eyes and sometimes burning and tears was really my only concern

Lizard28 profile image
Lizard28 in reply to Jennyhadenough

Hi Jenny, I got a leaflet from consultant, I tried to find it but must have thrown it out , it basically just informed you how to clean your eyes, he said a hot flannel over your eyes and make sure you clean your lids. Funnily enough only my left eye is affected even though I have dry eyes in both of them, my left is always worse. Just keep cleaning them, if I can be of any more help, please ask. Take care

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Lizard28

I friend in another group shared her leaflet with us. I am actually going to a local specialist. The Mayo is three hours round trip. My apt is Monday. Do you feel that diet has any affect?

Can you wear eye shadow and mascara

Lizard28 profile image
Lizard28 in reply to Jennyhadenough

Hi, yes I do wear eyeshadow and mascara but make sure I clean my eyes thoroughly, it’s just a very random thing having this, my eyes can be perfect one day and then I wake up with red eye and swollen eyelid for no reason, I just have to stick to my rigorous eye cleaning. I was away for a few days, had my cotton buds and forgot my solution, it must help as I only used warm water and my eye is bad today again. Don’t wear makeup when you go to your specialist though lol, Let us know how you get on, good luck and best wishes. I have a limited diet due to having gastroparesis but I personally don’t think diet has anything to do with it but again I’m no expert. X

Niffer78 profile image
Niffer78

I had the exact same as you. New diagnosis of RA in February. In April, randomly one eyelid swelled, lots of fluid and hot and itchy. No problems with eyeball, and not affecting the lid line or lashes. My doc also said blepharitis which I wasn't convinced by. Mine had flared up and down 4 times in the space of about 3 weeks, and doc prescribed an ointment which was to be applied inside the lower lid. I didn't use the ointment as I felt like putting something inside my eyes which weren't at all affected, didn't feel right. I left it for a few days and in May it went away by itself.

If it happens again, our local specsavers offer eye exam appts which can be for medical as well as optical tests. I think that's where I'll head next time.

Everything I read about blepharitis suggested this was something that affected the eyeball, eyelashes and ducts, and like you said should cause flaky crusty lids. I had none of that and it actually felt closer to a bite or allergic reaction. Also my boss actually has blepharitis which he uses a special eye wash twice a day for, and he agreed what I had was nothing like what he has.

My rheumatoid team said that we can discuss whether it's psoriatic arthritis at my next appt, as that does have some similar symptoms to what I experienced, but as I understand it, it's not able to be tested for specifically, and the treatment would likely be the same as my RA treatment, so actually I'm none the wiser, but hopeful that if it is, it'll be covered anyway!

I hadn't yet started RA treatment when this happened, so I'm hopeful I won't get another episode of this now I have started the tablets. At the time I was having a mild flare which affected hands and fingers, so could have been related.

Hope you get sorted soon, and the eye problems go away!

Storm15 profile image
Storm15 in reply to Niffer78

Hi

I have had two surgeries in my eyes for blocked tear ducts one was successful and the other only offered slight improvement but what i have had is intermittent eye infections and was also told i had blepharitis about 8 years ago. I was told to use various drops/ ointments but chemist told me to use baby shampoo and cotton pads morning and night when irritation starts and i have not had any issues since . Cheap alternative and no drugs if it works

worth a try , know what it feels like.

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Storm15

I use baby shampoo and a foam for now. Then I wash the rest of my face with my face cleanser. Are you able to wear eye makeup?

If so, please share the brand

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Niffer78

Im so sorry. I tapped the respond button and some how I reported your post. Admin: it was an accident please. I’m sorry.

Yes eye issue go away!

Are you able to wear makeup on your eyes?

I did get a stye in one eye and a chalazuan In the other. I was able to treat at home. The chalazuan is still there but very small. I shall see what the eye dr says Monday.

Again, please, I am so sorry for the accidental post report.

Marcgracie profile image
Marcgracie

Hi I have this and it’s driven me mad at times. My local optician does a little procedure and it has really really helped. I also buy the blepharitus wipes and take anti antihistamines.

Priscilla17 profile image
Priscilla17

I have blepharitis and when I have a flare up, I make up a solution (not a paste) of bicarbonate of soda and warm water-soak some cotton pads in the solution and promptly clean my eyes and lashes with it. Then I use a gel eye mask that can be heated in the microwave for a few seconds and I use this a few times a day, for a few days and that seems to clear mine up. The gel mask, does the work that a compress of cotton pads does, just easier!

The baby shampoo technique never worked for me, just made my eyes red.

Hope you fine a routine that works fo you:)

Priscilla

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Priscilla17

Maybe this will explain my red lids. I can’t wait to talk to the dr Monday. I guess the baby shampoo to keep the eyes from burning. I’m reading different articles about baby shampoo.

Dee-ivy06 profile image
Dee-ivy06

Hi I have had blepharitis since 2003 I just wash my eye lids with warm water which helps a lot,I suffer from cornea ulcers too x

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Dee-ivy06

I’m sorry about the ulcers. Why do you have them. Getting old sure isn’t for sissy’s is it

Sona_akb profile image
Sona_akb

I have belpharitis since 18yo. Now 33yo. It is settled down now but causing dry eye. Generally It doesn’t hurt much and in flare ups you need to use antibiotics.

Jennyhadenough profile image
Jennyhadenough in reply to Sona_akb

How long does flares last? Do your eye lids get itchy when not in flare

Sona_akb profile image
Sona_akb in reply to Jennyhadenough

It last few days. Not itchy. But redness and puffy. As long as I use hot compress regularly There’s no flare ups

Sona_akb profile image
Sona_akb

And forgot to say, hot eye compress helped a lot. You can use the gel like ones. My doctor said to fill raw rice in a clean sock 🧦 because it retains warmness pretty long time (10minutes). I warm them in microwave for 30-60 seconds and then put on top of eyelids with gentle massage.

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