Treating Blepharitis with Facial Steamer

[obiiwan]

Hi Doctor,

When my ophthalmologist diagnosed me with Blepharitis she told me to place a warm compress over my eyes for 10 minutes a night before cleaning my lids with a special cleanser.  I have found that after wetting a facecloth it only stays hot for a minute or two.  To make things easier, I have since started using a facial steamer for 10 minutes a night instead of the warm compress and I think it has been working fine.  I believe the facial steamer works better than a compress in loosening debris on my lids and lashes.  I also find it much easier to do and more convenient!  Do you believe that this works as well or better than a warm compress would?  Or could the heat from the steam actually irritate my blepharitis and eyes, causing further swelling?  So far I have not encountered any problems but I would appreciate your expert opinion.

[CLT146]

i DO NOT HAVE A STEAMER SO USE A BOWL OF HOT STEAMING WATER  WITH A TOWEL  OVER MY HEAD IT WORKS JUST AS WELL AS A STEAMER  
CLT- RN

[JohnHaganMD]

thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I have never had a patient volunteer that information. There's no reason it might not work just fine especially for someone with poor dexterity. If it seems to be helping I would continue it. I think I'll mention it to my patients. Thanks for the tip.

JCH MD