MGD + Blepharitis

[Luis]

Hello everyone, I'm new on this website and my english is +/- but I think you can understand me well. So lets start..

I got severous dry eyes for about 6 years.. I remember when I was little I had Blepharitis in both eyes at this time, I tryed treat it with eye lids gels for the problem. Tought my problem gone but no. Since 2 years I tried use contact lens.. But is seems cause me a lot of discomfort so I thought something went wrong. I went to some Opthalmologists to know whats is happening. They just prescribe me some artificial tears and gels for night nothing more. So I decided myself do some researchs to solve it. First, I decided wash my eyes with baby shampoo once and I saw some things left my lashes ( weird) I keep using that. Second, bought TheraTears Omega 3 fatty acids - using it for about 3 months till now. I'm using MGD mask. Used restasis for about 1 month, saw a little increase but needed to stop with it its very expensive. Used Cyclosporine ( Cyclomune ).

I got two questions: What causes Meibomian Glands getting closed?! Its caused by some bacteria?! Or bad eye lid hygiene?! I'm wondering whats cause that.

Every morning when I wake up, I notice that I always have a yellow mucus in the corner near of nose on both eyes. Whats the explanation?!

I'm waiting for your asnwers buddies.

Kind Regards,
Luís

[Luis]

Can someone help me please?!

[y-gwair]

I got two questions: What causes Meibomian Glands getting closed?! Its caused by some bacteria?! Or bad eye lid hygiene?! I'm wondering whats cause that.

I think the short answer is that nobody really knows. If you research, then you'll find lots of conflicting information, many different terms (MGD, ocular rosacea, posterior and anterior blepharitis) for what are variable but probably related conditions.

My own feeling, after many months of seeing 3 different ophthalmologists and two different dermatologists is that all of these conditions have some underlying dermatological conditions with a vascular component. Inflamed blood vessels cause changes in the oil glands of the skin and eyes. Sometimes the inflammations leads to too little oil, sometimes too much, and of the wrong consistency. Bacteria can then worsen inflammation by breaking down oil into inflammatory substances.

I used to think posterior and anterior Blepharitis were different conditions, but I've gone from one extreme to the other in the last 6 months, from virtually no oil to having my eyelids completely crusted with the stuff (in parallel with the blood vessel inflammation and seb. derm. crusting all over my face). The latest dermatologist explained that in rosacea, blood vessels become dilated in response to an initial stimulus (chemicals, heat, steroids), which sets off an inflammatory vicious circle, leading to swelling and inflammation in the tissues around the inflamed blood vessels, over-active sebaceous glands, and ultimately bacterial infection. All of the treatments you mention have an effect on different elements of this vicious circle. Heat melts thickened oil that may be blocking glands, fish oil helps meibum consistency, ciclosporin reduces inflammation which can help break the cycle. Antibiotics work on bacteria, and may also have anti-inflammatory actions (which aren't well understood).

[Luis]

Thanks for your reply y-gwair. It was very helpfull for me. I'm understanding it. Well, now I'm thinking gives doxycycline a try. Should I? I saw on the forum / Internet that doxycycline can open MG and solve that problem. What kind of doxycycline should I try? http://www.buy-pharma.co.uk/Doxicip_Doxt-100-p-316.html - That one?! Or another one?! There is any kind of dangerous taking it? I'm a bit scared..

Regards,
Luís

[Colin P]

Firstly Luis, youre English is very good!. (a lot better than my Portugese!).
I was given Doxycline to remove Blepharitis, we In U.K have to get it prescribed by opthamolagist(eye doctor) You take the Doxycline as much as your doctor tells you to take? and you should be doing Lid scrubs and massages 3x times a day.
Speak to your eye doctor about Blepharitis and Doxycline as they will know what dosage you the individual requires.

Hope this helps, Colin...