Blepharitis

[kmhill]

I was diagnosed with posterior Blepharitis about a year ago.  It started with chronic red eyes that at first was mistaken for pink eye.  It also started in my left eye only.  The initial diagnosis was holes in my cornea.  We got that fixed and then the redness comes back a few weeks later in both eyes along with a feeling like something was in my eyes.  I have done numerous eye drops, eye ointments, eye scrubs, eye compresses and there is no improvement.  Lately I have experienced a change in my vision and it is getting worse.  My doctor says it is just from the steroid eye drops, he reduced the frequency of the drops but my vision has gotten progressively worse every day.  How does this develop out of nowhere.  I do have eczema in my scalp which started a few years ago and am having a hard time treating it.  I can't take antibiotics because I have bad reactions to it.  My last doctors appointment he said there wasn't much else he could do.  Is there an herbal remedy for this?  Is this really blepharitis because I am not sure that it is since it came out of the blue.  Thanks!

[kmhill]

Dr. Kutryb,

Thanks for your help.  I am going to get a referral to a specialist at Emory.  Any recommendations?

Can belpharitis really come out of the blue like it seems to have done with me?  

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

My advice is to get a second opinion because there are definitely other things than can be done but these cases can be complicated to treat.  Lots of other options, commercial lid cleansers like occusot, dietary changes, flax and fish oil supplements, check for demodex follicularis etc.  FInd a corneal fellowship trained ophthalmologist to help you with your problems.  There is definitely hope for you but must be persistent and patient.

Michael Kutryb, MD