A chronic inflammation of the eyelids, mainly of the eyelid margins, is medically known as chronic blepharitis and is typically recognized by reddened and thickened eyelid margins (please see figure above).

• This often occurs in chronic dry eye disease. Especially when it is caused by Dysfunction of the Meibomian oil glands inside the eyelids (MGD) - which is the most common primary cause of dry eyes.

• In chronic disease conditions, such as chronic blepharitis, alterations of the eyelid margins develop including harmful deposits on the edge of the eyelid.

• Deposits on the eyelid margin build up and promote inflammation

  • Deposits and incrustations on the eyelid margin consist of various substances that create a 'nourishing' environment for an excessive growth of the normally harmless bacteria and of the normal small hair mites (Demodex).

  • The deposits themselves and the excretions of bacteria and mites have an inflammatory effect and worsen the disease condition.

=> Here is more information on chronic Eyelid Inflammation (Blepharitis)

=> Regular cleaning and care of the eyelids is therefore important for the health of the eyes !

For persistent incrustations, mechanical eyelid cleaning or other apparative device based therapies in the ophthalmologist's practice can be useful.

=> If regular daily cleaning and hygiene of the eyelids does not improve the condition sufficiently there may by an excessive infestation with Demodex hair mites - Tee tree oil preparations have proven useful for Demodex eradication.

As always with eye problems it is important to present this to an eye doctor for diagnosis and respective therapy suggestions !

Next page: => excessive Demodex infestation