extreme crusty eyes

I have had this problem since I can remember, but recently it has gotten real bad. I get really bad eye crust, its not like normal people when they wake up they wash there face in the morning and that's it. I have to constantly be at my eyes to make sure that there is no crust. Its hard crust and clings on to my eyelashes really well. It has gotten so bad that I have been trying to take it off that my eyelids are swollen, scarred, and have spots where there are no eyelashes. I tried washing my eyes a million times a day, but nothing works. Its beginning to become a real nightmare. any help would be greatly appreciated.

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

1. Use the search feature and archives to read about "blepharitis".  Go to Google IMAGES and type in the term to see what it looks like.
2. See an Eye MD for a definitive diagnosis and treatment

JCH MD