Friday, March 16, 2012

Sjogren's and Blepharitis


Often times when I go to the ophthalmologist, I learn that I have a new eye condition or a previous one has returned.  This visit was no different when I went to the eye doctor earlier this week and found out that the blepharitis affecting my right eyelids has not improved and that it is also affecting my left lids. Blepharitis is a relatively new condition for me and I have learning more about during the last few months.  Since blepharitis is a common condition for those with Sjogren’s, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to share some information about it.

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids; it is more common in those with Sjogren’s or rosacea.  The meiobmian glands, which make lipids, are found along the base of the eyelids and in some Sjogren’s patients become blocked.   

                                      Picture from the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand

According to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, this can cause “low grade chronic inflammation and bacterial infection resulting in pain and swelling of the lower eyelids.”  Many believe that eye lubricants used by those with dry eyes and Sjogren’s patients may contribute to the meibomian glands becoming blocked and to developing blepharitis.  Tear dysfunction itself in Sjogren’s is also thought to be another cause.

The problem with treating blepharitis can be that it tends to comeback.  Most treatments involve warm soaks and gentle cleaning and massage of the eyelids to open the blocked glands. Dr. Robert Fox from Scripps recommends the following steps to clean the lids:

1.       Make a warm compress by dampening a clean washcloth with water and soaking your eyelid for a few minutes.
2.       Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of Johnson and Johnson no tears baby shampoo in a quart of water.
3.       Use a new warm washcloth and put it in this solution and then put the washcloth over your eyelids (with eyes closed).
4.       Next gently massage the washcloth over your eyes

Your doctor may prescribe medications, a specific cleaning routine, or eye cleansers for you.  My doctor has had me use prescription Tobradex a combination anti-biotic and steroid ointment for when the lids become swollen and painful. For Dr. Fox’s complete discussion and recommendations for blepharitis and Sjogren’s click here. Let me know if you any other suggestions or tips that help you keep blepharitis under control.   Mine seems to keep rearing its head every couple weeks.

22 comments:

  1. This is a great post! I, myself, have Sjogren's and Rosacea. Double Whammy!! I have found my Blepharitis popping back up every few weeks as well. Using non-sented baby wipes on my eyes every morning seems to prevent it from coming back more often. :o)

    PS- Glad we found each other's blogs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmi am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
      or
      call/whatsapp:+2349057261346




      i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
      or
      call/whatsapp:+2349057261346m

      Delete
  2. Thanks so much! Great suggestion on the non-scented baby wipes. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great information. Thanks for sharing. We are your newest "followers". LCD (ladies with Chronic Diseases) would love for you to check out our blog. Help provide information and encouragement to others suffering from chronic diseases.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just found your blog. I've got blepharitis and rosacea and also onion allergies. I have found that my rosacea and bleph are better since starting probiotics (I use align) and the bleph is much, much better using SteriLid instead of the Johnson's baby shampoo. It's expensive but you use very little each day. Hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your tips and great suggestions! It is very interesting that we both have blepharitis and onion allergies. I will give sterilid a try next time and hadn't heard of it before--right now I have been experimenting with ocusoft cleanser.

      Delete
  5. Eye warmers and tear drops are the best solutions to prevent our beautiful eyes from belapharitis and rosacea problems.Thanks to provide info about this disease briefly!! Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

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  6. I have Sjogren's and my eye doctor dx'd me with blepharitis and told me it was very important to do "lid scrubs" with Johnson's baby shampoo and a clean washcloth with hot water to keep the bacteria cleaned off and then he prescribed erythromycin 0.5% eyelid ointment and had me use it every night for a week for the acute condition and then told me to use it once a week to keep things under control. Which I did and it worked great. Of course, I kind of fell off the wagon and was not using my eye ointment and noticed my eyelids hurting again and realized, it's time to do lid scrubs and daily antibiotic eye ointment and I'm better after two days. My eye doctor also has me on Restasis and even though it burns I don't think I could live without the stuff. He said my corneas are clear, no hint of abrasions now. Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Restasis burned my eyes so badly that I stopped using it. A second doctor told me to put in artificial tear drops 5 minutes before using it and to keep it in the refrigerator. I don't know why, but this significantly reduces the burn.

      Delete
    2. Restasis burned my eyes so badly that I stopped using it. A second doctor told me to put in artificial tear drops 5 minutes before using it and to keep it in the refrigerator. I don't know why, but this significantly reduces the burn.

      Delete
  7. From what I understand, if you "wash" your eyes with baby shampoo at least ever other day, that should help keep it under control. Sorry to hear you are continually having issues with this!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Was diagnosed with Sjogren's and RA in 2006 and my specialist believes I had had it for more than 2 years before. This spring and summer had been complaining about eyes feeling as tho something was crawling on eyelids, itching, white stuff dangling from strange eyelashes, etc. Trying all kinds of home treatments after visiting family doctor several times and going to dermatologist and being told that they could find nothing wrong. Went for re-exam on Monday for after cataract surgery. Not crazy, have Blepharitis and put on routine of cleaning with lid scub (not baby shampoo), using steroid drops for 2 weeks and must return to Restasis (so expensive) and return in 3 months to check condition. It seems to be a never ending battle when you have an autoimmune disease. My advice to anyone, see your eye specialist at the first sign of trouble and do not try to treat yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have blepharitis both eyes for one year now. I also have the crawling feeling. I read allot about demodex blepharitis after nothing seems to help. I tried Cliradex (expensive) wipes which r helped me as they contain tea tree oil which erradicates mites. Lately I tried a new product called Frex Clean-T, which also contains tea tree oil and calendula. Works really great, and for 1/4 the price of cliradex. My blepharitis is under control now, thank god.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The blepharitis treatment by tarcical. It is not the eye drops but they are tablets that are made by 100% herbal ingredients. It maintains the health of the eyes and reduces the pain. It also eradicates the itching. Tarcical is available at herbal care products. Its ingredients are Ashwagandha, Liliaceae, Gum Benjamin, Ammonium Chloride and Myrobalan. It has no side effects.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both cases, nonetheless, can be viably treated at home with the Blepharitis Natural Treatment. Here are probably the most popular home remedies for blepharitis in people.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Eyelid inflammation, recognized as Blepharitis, is a common condition in which the eyelid gets inflamed and covered with oily particles and bacteria.Try some effective herbal remedies and Bepharitis Natural Treatment and get rig of this eye condition.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Blepharitis is an ocular condition which is described by a constant inflammation of the eyelid. You can get rid of it much sooner with the help of various easy and helpful Blepharitis Natural Treatment.

    https://herbsolutionsbynature.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/blepharitis-natural-treatment-inflammation-of-the-eyelid/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Blepharitis Natural Treatment is also important for preventing its causes with proper diagnosis. Itchiness in the eyelids is common symptoms of Blepharitis.


    https://www.herbs-solutions-by-nature.com/Blepharitis.php

    ReplyDelete
  15. The prognosis is good if the above Natural Remedies for Blepharitis is followed. The eyelids should continue to be cleaned to stop repeat episodes. If blepharitis symptoms worsen or continue for numerous days, it is advisable to call your health care provider.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Natural Treatment for Blepharitis read about the Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis. Natural Herbal Treatment for Blepharitis with Herbal Product Phlereton Natural Supplement for inflammation of the eyelids. Control the Symptoms of Blepharitis and lessen the Causes.

    ReplyDelete
  17. i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346




    i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have found that this site is very informative, interesting and very well written. keep up the nice high quality writing. Eyelid Surgery in new braunfels tx

    ReplyDelete