Blepharitis May Be a Cause or a Result of Dry Eye, Reports Water and Health Researcher
Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) October 25, 2013 -- Blepharitis or swollen eyelids can either be a cause of dry eye or a result of dry eye reports water and health researcher Sharon Kleyne. Either way, says Kleyne, blepharitis is strongly associated with dry eye and the majority of blepharitis patients also have dry eye symptoms. According to Kleyne, inflammation and inflammatory hormones play a central role in both conditions.
Sharon Kleyne is Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a water and health research and product development center. Natures Tears® EyeMist® is the company’s global signature product for dry eyes and dry eyelids. Kleyne also hosts the globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes.
Dry eye complaints, Kleyne notes, are the most frequent reason for eye doctor visits in the United States. Kleyne estimates that as high as 50% to 90% of the US population experiences occasional to frequent dry eye symptoms. Blepharitis is also very common and can have many causes, but the lipid or oil secreting meibomian glands, located within the eyelid, are almost always involved.
According to Kleyne, several important dermatological conditions and diseases, such as acne rosacea, or redness and inflammation of the nose and forehead, are known to increase both eyelid and ocular surface inflammation. Also, seborrheic dermatitis is associated with scaling skin lesions, dandruff and inflammation that also affects the eyelids.
Kleyne identified three types of blepharitis:
Obstructive blepharitis. This condition, according to Kleyne, is marked by hardening or “hyperkeratinization” of the eyelid margin and the meibomian gland ducts within the eyelid. The flow of lipids produced by the meibomian glands are not only obstructed when this condition is present, but the lipids are thicker. Since lipids protect the water in the tear film from excessive evaporation, individuals with obstructive blepharitis exhibit high tear film evaporation, low tear flow and other dry eye symptoms. Examination of the eyelid could reveal missing glands that had previously been obstructed and were subsequently absorbed.
Seborrheic blepharitis. Individuals with seborrheic dermatitis, says Kleyne, often exhibit seborrheic blepharitis as well. Seborrheic dermatitis symptoms include patches of red and inflamed skin caused by overproduction in the skin’s sebaceous or oil glands. Unlike obstructive blepharitis, seborrheic blepharitis is marked by increased lipid production from the meibomian glands. The lipids are not obstructed or thickened and tear film evaporation is usually not elevated. Eyelid examination reveals normal meibomian gland morphology. However, patients with seborrheic blepharitis do have dry eye more frequently than the normal population.
Bacterial blepharitis. Bacterial overgrowth on the eyelid margin, Kleyne explains, also creates inflammation and contributes to eyelid hardening, causing meibomian gland obstruction. All eyelids have bacterial flora and there is little difference among individuals as to the types of bacteria that eyelids harbor. Genetic mechanisms are a factor since the level of free cholesterol partly determines the nature and extent of bacterial overgrowth.
To relieve dry eye symptoms, soothe inflammation and supplement lost tear film moisture, Sharon Kleyne suggests an all-water humidifying mist applied with a personal portable hand-held misting device. The only product for dry eyes that also moisturizes and soothes dry and inflamed eyelids is Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® from Bio-Logic Aqua Research. Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® is the only product for dry eyes that contains 100% water and is applied as an ultra-fine mist.
Mikaylah Roggasch, Bio Logic Aqua Research-Rogue Media, +1 (800) 367-6478, [email protected]
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