Causes

• It has often been associated with seborrhea of skull (dandruff)
• Bacterial infection of eyelids.
• Infection of meibomian glands found in eyelids.
• The condition is frequently seen in patients with dry eyes and atopic eczema.
• The disorder usually starts in childhood and may continue throughout life.

Symptoms

• Deposition of whitish and yellowish material at lid margins among the lashes.
• Small ulcers may be present between whitish or yellowish material.
• Irritation.
• Occasional watering of the eyes.
• Burning and itching sensations in the eyes.
• Mild photophobia (intolerance to bright light) characteristically worse in the morning.
• Falling of eyelashes. In severe case eyelashes are totally absent from the eyelids.
• While removing whitish material lid margins appear reddish and will sometimes bleed. 
• In long standing cases the eyelid margin is thickened and leading to continuous watering from the eyes.
• Recurrent styes may be present in long standing cases.

Prevention

• Follow a balanced diet.
• Proper cleaning of lid margins and maintain good hygiene. 
• Dandruff must be adequately treated by using anti-dandruff shampoos, keeping hair short and massaging oil into the scalp once or twice in a week.
• Remove the whitish material from the eyelid margins with the help of 3% soda bicarbonate solution.
• Warm compress may be helpful in melting solid deposits over the eyelids. 
• Broad spectrum antibiotic eye drop should be instilled 3 - 4 times a day.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes or fingering the eyelids.
• Use artificial tear eye drops as they provide relief.

Complications:

Complications are seen in longstanding untreated cases like conjunctivitis, madarosis (absence of lashes from eye lids), greying of lashes, misdirected and inverted lashes, eczema of the eyelid skin and marginal corneal ulcers.

Times Wellness workshop on “Eye problem” at Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar on 31st August’10. All are cordially invited. For free registration call 011-23782765.

Picture credit: Shannah Pace