Posterior Blepharitis

I was diagnosed with Posterior Blepharitis 5 months ago after having two scratched corneas.  I am in my third month of Doxycycline and performing the regimen of cleaning the eye lids and hot compresses.  I am improving and had a check up yesterday, but I just read on the internet that Flaxseed oil can be helpful with Blepharitis instead of Doxycycline.  What are your thoughts...can both be used at the same time?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Briefly - flaxseed oil can help your eyelid oil and tear glands produce better tears.  Omega 3 fish oil helps as well and can actually  help reduce inflammation in  these same gland.  Both can be taken at same time as doxycycline if indicated by physician.  So the answer is that yes they can help in certain cases and yes can be taken with doxycycline if prescribed by your doctor.  Consider one of the new eyelid cleaners as well (sterilid or ocusoft plus lids scrubs) - both can be helpful.

MIchael Kutryb, MD