Blepharitis (ICD-10-GM H01.0: eyelid rim inflammation) refers to inflammation of the eyelid (Latin palpebra, ancient Greek blepharon). It is a very common disease.
The following forms can be distinguished:
- Blepharitis angularis – blepharitis of the eyelid angles (esp. lateral/lateral).
- Blepharitis ciliaris – blepharitis confined to individual hair follicles of eyelashes.
- Blepharitis follicularis – blepharitis with inflammation of the follicles of eyelashes.
- Blepharitis marginalis – blepharitis with chronic inflammation of the Meibomian glands (also called tarsal glands; lat.: Glandulae tarsales; are sebaceous glands at the edge of the eyelids).
- Blepharitis parasitaria – blepharitis caused by parasites that attach to the eyelashes and lay their eggs there, e.g. head lice and crabs.
- Blepharitis squamosa – blepharitis with scaling inflammation of the eyelid margin, failure of the eyelashes.
- Blepharitis ulcerosa – blepharitis associated with yellow crusts and ulceration (ulceration); leads to thickened eyelid margins, possibly failure of eyelashes, trichiasis (inward rotation of eyelashes; eyelash chafing).
Blepharitis often occurs in combination with conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) and is then called blepharoconjunctivitis. Blepharitis is also mentioned in connection with “dry eye” (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).
Frequency peak: Blepharitis angularis often occurs in adolescents in warm countries.
Course and prognosis:Acute blepharitis with bacteria usually heals within a few days to weeks with appropriate therapy.Chronic bacterial blepharitis with staphylococci can lead to episodes of blepharitis.Daily eyelid margin hygiene and eyelid margin care (eyelid edge care) helps to reduce the incidence of blepharitis.The prognosis of blepharitis is good, but the course can be quite protracted.
