Blepharoconjunctivitis is an eye condition that’s a combination of two other conditions: conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the transparent membrane that covers the inner part of your eyelid and your eye white. It’s also called pink eye.
Blepharitis is inflammation along the edge of your eyelid.
Bacterial infections or allergic reactions often cause blepharoconjunctivitis. It may be manageable with meticulous eye hygiene alone. If this isn’t enough to treat your symptoms, a doctor may prescribe medicated creams or eyedrops.
Continue reading to learn more about blepharoconjunctivitis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Blepharoconjunctivitis causes and risk factors
Blepharoconjunctivitis can have numerous causes. Its underlying cause is often an infectious disease when the symptoms develop quickly and include ulcers. The most common infectious cause is Staphylococcus bacteria. When the symptoms develop quickly and don’t include ulcers, allergies are most often the cause.
Bacteria can overgrow when the glands in your face secrete too much oil. This oil can cause a buildup of skin cells and bacteria.
Other potential underlying causes include:
People at risk for developing blepharitis include those with:
Blepharoconjunctivitis symptoms
Blepharoconjunctivitis typically causes eye irritation with a sensation like you have a foreign object in your eye. You may have crusting on your eyelids and the rims of your eyes. Other symptoms can include :
- swollen and red eyes
- light sensitivity
- dandruff on your eyelashes
- eye irritation or itchiness
- loss of eyelashes
- sticky eyelids
- dry eyes
Symptoms are typically worse in the morning, and it usually affects both eyes.
Potential complications of blepharoconjunctivitis
If left untreated, people with long-term cases of blepharoconjunctivitis may experience complications , like:
- cornea ulceration and scarring, which can cause vision problems
- distortion of your eyelids, which can cause:
- ingrown eyelashes ( trichiasis )
- inward or outward turning of your eyelids
- a loss of eyelashes
When to get medical help
It’s a good idea to visit a doctor if you develop eye symptoms, like light sensitivity or eye pain that doesn’t go away after a few days or causes you distress. It’s especially important if your symptoms don’t improve with home remedies, like washing your eyelids frequently.
It’s also important to see an eye doctor any time you notice changes to your vision, such as blurriness or distortion.
Blepharoconjunctivitis diagnosis
Doctors can usually diagnose blepharoconjunctivitis without needing to order any specific tests. When you visit a doctor, they may:
- review your personal and family medical history
- review your symptoms
- perform a physical exam
They may also perform a film tear breakup test if you have dry eyes. This test involves putting a special dye on your eye called fluorescein and measuring how long it takes for your eye to dry out after your blink.
Blepharoconjunctivitis treatment
The main treatment for blepharoconjunctivitis is meticulous eyelid hygiene. You can clean your eyes by:
- placing a handful of rice inside a clean sock or cloth and microwaving it for 3 minutes before placing it over your affected eye
- gently massaging your eyelids for about 30 seconds
- cleaning your eyelids with a cotton ball or applying a small amount of baby shampoo in water to help you wipe away flakes and crusting
It’s a good idea to clean your eyes twice a day . It’s important to keep up this routine even after your symptoms have gone away to keep them from coming back.
If this isn’t enough to manage your symptoms, a doctor may recommend antibiotics, steroid creams, ointments, or eyedrops to kill bacteria.
Artificial tears can also potentially improve dry eye symptoms. One review of studies found that omega-3 supplementation may be beneficial for dry eyes, but research has been mixed, and using omega-3 for this purpose remains controversial.
A combination of petroleum jelly and 1% permethrin shampoo is often effective at treating eyelash lice.
Living with blepharoconjunctivitis
The outlook for blepharoconjunctivitis is usually good and most people can manage their symptoms successfully. It’s important to keep up your eyelid hygiene even after your symptoms go away to keep them from coming back.
A small number of people develop vision problems if they develop scarring on the surface of their eye.
Can you prevent blepharoconjunctivitis?
You may be able to minimize your risk of developing blepharoconjunctivitis by washing your face and eyes regularly. It’s also a good idea to avoid applying products around your eye if you’ve had an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the product in the past.
Frequently asked questions about blepharoconjunctivitis
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions people have about blepharoconjunctivitis.
Is blepharoconjunctivitis contagious?
Blepharoconjunctivitis isn’t contagious, but some of the infections that can cause it, such as lice , can be infectious.
How long does blepharoconjunctivitis last?
Blepharoconjunctivitis is usually a chronic condition that causes symptoms that come and go. Sometimes, such as in people with cases of allergic reactions, symptoms may only last days to weeks before going away.
What is the best blepharoconjunctivitis medicine?
A doctor may prescribe creams or eyedrops if you don’t respond to conservative measures. These medications often contain steroids.
Takeaway
Blepharoconjunctivitis is inflammation of your inner eyelid, the surface of your eye, and the area around the base of your eyelids. Bacterial infections or allergies most commonly cause it.
Blepharoconjunctivitis is often manageable by regularly cleaning your eyes. If this isn’t enough, a doctor may recommend medicated creams to reduce inflammation. It’s important to see a doctor if you develop changes to your vision.
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