The Eye - Medical Conditions [back]
Lid Hygiene
Symptoms of dry, sore or uncomfortable eyes can sometimes be due to crusting and inflammation of the eyelid margins – blepharitis. The symptoms can also be due to a blockage of the meibomian glands in the eyelid margins, caused by smoky atmospheres or pollution. The meibomian glands open onto the edges of the lids and release oils into the tears. When they become blocked the tears are of a poorer quality and so this gives rise to symptoms.
Blepharitis and meibomian gland disfunction are usually chronic conditions. The key to keeping them under control is to carry out lid hygiene.
The following measures should be carried out daily to control the condition. It can take up to 6 weeks before any improvement is noticed, so perseverance is essential.
Hold a cotton wool pad or clean flannel soaked in cooled boiled water against the closed eyelids for 2 minutes. Reheat the compress in hot water as necessary.
Lid Massage and Scrubs
1-Prepare a solution of diluted baby shampoo by mixing approximately 1 part baby shampoo to 10 parts water.
2-Carefully clean away any crusts from the eyelid margins using a cotton bud dipped in the solution.
3-Use a cotton bud to stroke the eyelid skin towards the eyelid margins. Always use a new bud for each eye and dispose of after use. Use freshly prepared solution each time and do not clean inside the eyelids.
4-Alternatively, pre prepared sterile wipes can be bought to clean the eyelids. These are available in our practices.
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