Attack Of The Blephars!

In past years I’ve blinked so much the muscles surrounding my eyes and eyelids ached! Seriously–little teeny strained muscles

I am going a little nuts right now. Blepharitis at work! If there was a telethon I’d be glad to host.

The word “blepharitis” sounds made up. Trust me it’s real. It stems from the excessive growth of a normally harmless commonly found bacteria.

Symptoms of blepharitis include a foreign body or burning sensation, excessive tearing, itching, sensitivity to light (photophobia), red and swollen eyelids, redness of the eye, blurred vision, frothy tears, dry eye, or crusting of the eyelashes on awakening.

Some days it looks like I have Elmer’s Glue, like we used in grade school, holding my eyelashes together!

The earliest I can remember having this was in the late 80s when Stef was an infant. It’s possible I had it before too. Those first years I didn’t know it was something with a name nor that there were things I could do. Without treatment it progressively got worse and worse until it mysteriously went away.

In past years I’ve blinked so much the muscles surrounding my eyes and eyelids ached! Seriously–little teeny strained muscles. This time it’s mostly tearing and stinging.

I didn’t bother wearing my contact lenses today and might not at all this week.

Treatment is simple. I wash my lashes with baby shampoo and apply hot compresses to the lids. It brings temporary relief.

There is no permanent cure for blepharitis. I am prone to it and will suffer intermittently for the rest of my life!

Great.