Health Take care of your peepers, cold weather survival guide
Optometrist DR JIM KOKKINAKIS shares the symptoms and treatment of this chronic eye condition
It’s easy to dismiss dry, itchy and puffy eyes as being tired or having something in them. However, with chronic eye conditions such as blepharitis on the rise in Australia, Dr Jim Kokkinakis explains why you need to see an optometrist for more than just a glasses prescription.
WHAT IS BLEPHARITIS?
“Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids causing the eyes to feel sore and gritty, and the eyelids may by puffy and red,” says Dr Kokkinakis. “It can be a frustrating condition, however daily eyelid hygiene can keep symptoms to a minimum.”
Other symptoms include the feeling of a “foreign body” or sand in your eye, crusting of eyelashes, sensitivity to light, excessive watering of the eye, blurred vision and flaking skin around the eyelids.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
If undiagnosed, blepharitis can cause greater issues that can be costly to treat.
“[It] can lead to blocked oil glands in the eyelids and permanent loss of eyelashes,” says Dr Kokkinakis.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Dr Kokkinakis emphasises that prevention is always better than a cure. “It’s important for people to understand that regular eye health maintenance is crucial,” he says. “While most people with symptoms will go in search of eye drops, drops alone will often not solve the issue. A three-step regimen is recommended – heat with a moist heat mask, cleanse with preservative-free eyelid wipes and hydrate with eye drops.
“The new Opti-soothe Moist Heat Mask and PreservativeFree Eyelid Wipes plus Hylo eye drops (aftpharm.com) allow anyone to establish a regular regimen to provide symptom relief of blepharitis at home.”