BLEPHARITIS
In New York City
Blepharitis is a common oily skin condition that overlaps with people with oily skin, dandruff conditions, and dry eye.
BLEPHARITIS NYC
BLEPHARITIS FAQS
What is Blepharitis?
Common symptoms that you may experience include red/ puffy eyelids, mucus in the morning.
Blepharitis, or meibomian gland dysfunction, is an incredibly common condition that affects the eyelids and causes inflammation of the eyelids. Blepharitis treatment is crucial.
Meibomian glands vertically line the eyelid, and the endings end by the eyelashes. We have more meibomian glands in the upper than the lower eyelid. Meibomian gland dysfunction results from clogged meibomian glands, and leads to red, irritated, itchy eyelids and inflammation of the eyelids. . It contributes to ocular surface disease, and can to worsening dry eye symptoms. Common symptoms include redness of the white part of the eye, tearing, burning, itching, variation in vision, eyelid crusting, eyelid thickening, loss of lashes, and oily dandruff on the lashes. Often, dry eye and blepharitis can overlap. There is a specific type of blepharitis called demodex blepharitis, that is a result of demodex mites living on the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis treatment is very important.
Both types of blepharitis are not correlated with hygiene, diet, eye makeup, or lifestyle, and are not contagious in any way. You can think of them as a variant of an oily skin condition such as acne. Although it is a chronic condition, it usually comes and goes over the course of several years. Blepharitis treatment such as gently scrubbing over closed eyelids when the blepharitis flares up with baby shampoo or a clean washcloth can help decrease flares.
Treatment initially involves a daily regimen of warm compresses and a hypochlorous foam such as Ocusoft or Avenova on a circular cotton pad or Q tip to remove the excess oil from the eyelids. The heat helps open up the glands and the foam then removes the excess oil. Additional treatments can include drops, ointment, manual expression of the glands (in the office) and an oral antibiotic such as Doxycycline.
Other recommendations include using baby shampoo and warm water on a clean washcloth and gently rubbing over the closed eyelids. Using a cotton swab with either baby shampoo or the foams mentioned above and gently scrubbing over the closed eyelids nightly will help decrease inflammation of the eyelids.
This blepharitis treatment will both remove eye makeup as well as the bacterial infection that is brewing on the untreated blepharitis eyelid.
Dry eye is closely related to blepharitis and by treating blepharitis, a patient can improve the aqueous deficiency component of dry eye. The nightly cleansing will improve the healthy oil production of the meibomian glands which will improve the overall dry eye, and when used in conjunction with other dry eye treatment, specifically artificial tears, is incredibly useful.
Untreated blepharitis can lead to hordeolum, or styes. These are treated also with heat, and with more medicated drops and ointment. A steroid injection helps expedite the recovery, and occasionally an excision is needed. Timely treatment can help prevent a stye from becoming large and more difficult to treat.
Prevention and maintenance of blepharitis is important to not let the disease get out of control and lead to styes. Think about blepharitis treatment like this: 30 seconds nightly of maintenance using any of the following: baby shampoo, warm water, a clean washcloth, artificial tears, and an eye makeup remover if wearing eye makeup. In the same way that one flosses and brushes teeth nightly before going to sleep, preforming this 30 second regiment with a washcloth and gently scrubbing the eyelids will decrease inflammation of the eyelids and decrease blepharitis.
What to Expect?
At Manhattan Eye, Dr. Rapoport provides individualized treatment to each stye and provides a customized prevention plan to ensure that the underlying condition of clogged oil glands is treated and the stye does not recur again. By focusing on a wellness prevention approach, Dr. Rapoport allows for a more conservative treatment plan. Dr. Rapoport also provides Facetime consultation if you are not able to make it into the office for these uncomfortable situations.
WHY CHOOSE MANHATTAN EYE?
Blepharitis with Dr. Rapoport in NYC
Blepharitis is an ongoing (chronic) condition and prevention is key. Dr. Rapoport provides guidance, detailed explanation of the condition, and focuses on keeping his condition under control so it does not flare up leading to styes, red and irritated eyelids, and an unsightly condition.
“I've been essentially blind my whole life and recently decided to get elective eye surgery. I unfortunately did not qualify for Lasik, but did qualify for PRK.
Dr. Rapoport was fantastic - she explained all my options in detail and was very diligent in giving me instructions pre/post operations - even when I asked twice/three times. She's always available to talk and super empathetic. I could not recommend a better eye surgeon!”
Dr. Rapoport was fantastic - she explained all my options in detail and was very diligent in giving me instructions pre/post operations - even when I asked twice/three times. She's always available to talk and super empathetic. I could not recommend a better eye surgeon!”
M.V.
“Best eye doctor in New York! Dr. Rapoport is very personable, professional and most importantly a great doctor. Dr. Rapoport recently performed my LASIK surgery, for which she gave me clear pre and post-op instructions and made a point to check regularly on my progress. She did a great job to put my nerves at ease and walked me through the entire process. Now three weeks after the surgery I
can see better than ever with 20/20+ vision! I strongly recommend Dr. Rapoport if you are considering LASIK, or if you are simply in need of a great eye doctor.”
N.G.
“I have now seen Dr. Rapoport for dry eyes, removal of papillomas around my eyes, and Lasik
surgery. My experiences with her have all been wonderful. She always takes the time to
explain everything really clearly, and my results have all been great. When I originally asked
about Lasik, she gave me a very balanced perspective on my options, which I really
appreciated. She also has a great energy about her, and she's just an overall pleasure to be
around. I have referred several friends and family to her and they've all said great things about
her as well. I can't recommend her enough.”
M.T.
“After seeing Dr. Rapaport for three months I have experienced the greatest improvement for
my dry eye syndrome than I have in the past 15 years. Dr. Rapaport is very knowledgable and
caring. I am very grateful to her and her staff, in particular to Amy, who has been incredibly
helpful to me. Everyone here conducts themselves in a highly professional manner, and they
also run a tight ship in terms of timeliness. I have been seen every time without waiting any
more than 5 minutes, and this I appreciate a lot. I feel very fortunate to be a patient at this
medical practice.”
H.K.
“Dr Rapoport is a skilled, knowledgeable, sincerely caring medical professional. I started
seeing her a year ago and have since moved out of state. Regardless, it’s a priority for me to
continue under her good care.
I feel confident in her abilities - and it is my eyesight afterall!”
I feel confident in her abilities - and it is my eyesight afterall!”
P.J.
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