Eyelash Regrowth - Blepharitis

[Emz205]

Hi,

I have suffered from Blepharitis for around 18 months now and have just noticed that there is a patch on my lower lid where my eyelashes have come out.  Can you tell me if they will regrow?

Also, I think wearing contact lenses may aggrevate the conditions so I am considering LASIK eye surgery - does suffering on/off bouts of blehparitis prevent me from having this?

Many thanks

E

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

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[Lucy65]

Hi,
Blepharitis spreads to other areas of the eyes. My friend had it move from her eyelashes to her eyelids.
M friend and I were able to kill the Blepharitis off. She used a facial scrub that had Benzethonium Chloride in it. I could not find that product any longer so I looked on line and ended up using WET ONES, an antibacterial hand wipe with Benzethonium Chloride in it.
I tore each wipe into 8 sections and used 2 on each eyelash area for 4 times a day for a week and a half. Then went down to 3 times a day for a month. Then did it 2 times a day for several months. I was able to use mascara while doing this treatment.
I used a new mascara and throw away wands. Same with eyeshadow.
Never put a used wand into the mascara.
When I washed my eyes I used 2 separate washrags. I used white (so can throw in the bleach load). This was so I did not re-infect my eyes.
I use eye drops to lubricate my eyes .The doctor said to use flax and fish oil capsules and to put a warm rag on my eyes in the morning to get things going.
There were 3 Dr.'s who looked into my eyes and could not find the Blepharitis. They said it would come back. I said it had been 4-5 months. It is now almost a year and not back.
I hope this information will help others to get rid of this horrible itching and related problems. It is bacterial and goes deep into the eyelashes and that is why it takes so long to get rid of it. It has not been that long ago that ulcers were incurable. A Dr. from down under (Reader's Digest) infected himself and cured the ulcer with antibiotics. Sometimes a simple cure sounds too easy to be true.
Please remember 2 people using 2 different products with the same Benzethonium Chloride killed Blepharitis.

Thinking of you,
Lucy65

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

The lashes will regrow if you keep the blepharitis under control (use TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleaner over the counter). You should be able to have LASIK. Ask your Eye MD for more specifics on your condition.
JCH III MD