Blepharitis natural history, complications and prognosis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]
Overview
Blepharitis is usually asymptomatic until the disease progresses. As it progresses, the patient begins to notice a foreign body sensation, and eyelid crusting. Blepharitis can frequently be improved but are rarely eliminated. If left untreated, sever blepharitis may cause alterations in the eyelid margin, loss of eyelashes, scarring of the eyelids, conjunctivitis, corneal involvement, superficial keratopathy, and ultimately blindness. Common complications of blepharitis include Hordeolum, chalazia, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, and loss of eyelashes. Blepharitis is a chronic condition. Blepharitis is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. Severe blepharitis is rarely associated with permanent alterations in the eyelid margin or vision loss from superficial keratopathy, corneal neovascularization, and ulceration, therefore these patients have a poor long term prognosisprognosis.
Natural History
Blepharitis is often caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It is usually asymptomatic until the disease progresses. As it progresses, the patient begins to notice a foreign body sensation, eyelid crusting, matting of the lashes, tearing, and burning. Symptoms are typically worse in the mornings. Blepharitis can frequently be improved but are rarely eliminated. If left untreated, sever blepharitis may cause alterations in the eyelid margin, loss of eyelashes, scarring of the eyelids, conjunctivitis, corneal involvement (corneal neovascularization and corneal ulceration), superficial keratopathy, and ultimately blindness. Blepharitis is associated with exacerbation and remission as the natural history. Patients should be informed that symptoms can frequently be improved but are rarely eliminated.
Complications
Complications to viral conjunctivitis include:[1]
- Hordeolum
- Chalazia (usually painless firm lump caused by inflammation of the oil glands of the eyelid, and can be painful and red if there is also an infection)
- Corneal ulcer
- Conjunctivitis
- Loss of eyelashes
- Scarring of the eyelids
Prognosis
Blepharitis is a chronic condition. Blepharitis is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis.
Severe blepharitis is rarely associated with permanent alterations in the eyelid margin or vision loss from superficial keratopathy, corneal neovascularization, and ulceration, therefore these patients have a poor long term prognosis.[2]
References
- ↑ PubMed health| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0023008/%7C Accessed July 13, 2016
- ↑ Nemet AY, Vinker S, Kaiserman I (2011). "Associated morbidity of blepharitis". Ophthalmology. 118 (6): 1062–8. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.10.015. PMID 21276617.