Chicken and egg questions for all

[Steve]

I have now pretty much decided that I have MGD (though I can't see any problem with the glands -- doc says it's there.) It's also very obvious I have Blepharitis. And I originally complained about Dry Eye.

Since treating one of these often irritates or worsens the other two, it seems important to me to know which one is the root cause, and which are symptoms or secondary problems.

According to Rebecca's Encyclopedia on this site, one path is Blepharitis causes MGD, which causes Dry Eye.

That's plausible. Can it go another way?

If Blepharitis is my root problem, what are the recommended treatments for it? I've just begun trying Restasis, in the hope it will reduce the inflammation and help the MG's start working again. Anything else?

[katia]

I wonder exactly the same thing.

I saw 3 ophtalmo BEFORE anyone told me I had blepharatis, and as the tests were pretty serious It is difficult for me to believe I had it then and that nobody could see it....

When the first ophtalmo who told me about Blepharatis said he thought I had it for a long time it was difficult to believe. In my opinion I had dry eyes for three months PRIOR to developping Blepharatis and having no tears etc... made it easier for the bacteria to start causing blepharatis. But I would also love to know what comes first