I have had blepharitis for 2.5 years.

[Luminaria]

I have struggled with blepharitis for quite a while. I've found things that have helped give me some relief and I want to share them on this website so others may benefit from my trial-and-errors. And hey, hopefully I'll learn from the other users on here, too!

[BethP]

I have had blepharitis for the past year and have struggled to get it under control. I am curious what has helped you.

[Luminaria]

I also have Meibomian Glad Dysfunction (MGD), which goes hand-in-hand with blepharitis. From what I understand about MGD (in a nutshell) is there's excess oil on and around the eyes and eyelids which causes the oil glands IN the eyes to become clogged, which builds up crusty stuff around the lids and causes the eyes to have less oil ON the eyeball itself, which makes the eyes feel dry. To make matters worse, the oil all around the eyes is a breeding ground for bacteria which eats the skin on the eyelids and causes flaking, or dandruff, of the eyelids (blepharitis). Not surprisingly, the bacteria often causes infections on the eyelids and oil glands. So, too much oil makes the eyes dry. Pretty strange, huh?

I'm not an expert but I'll tell you what I've been doing to get some relief. Hopefully it may help you, too.

First, I started using Dawn dish soap to cleanse my eyelids and face. Dawn's catchphrase used to be "Dawn Gets Grease Out of Your Way" so I figured it would work on cleansing the facial oils, as well. It was 97 cents at Walmart. Make sure to get the original, non-concentrated classic Dawn that says "Powers Away Grease!" on it. Look on the bottom shelf. It's blue.

I put a drop of the Dawn on a Johnson's Cotton Round (usually used to remove makeup) that is wet, not dripping, with warm water. Then I gently clean one eyelid and lash area with it. Be careful not to get the soap IN your eye. I repeat this with a 2nd cotton round for the other eye. I use a 3rd one for the rest of my face.

To kill the bacteria on the skin I use a clean cotton ball and put hydrogen-peroxide on it, then gently dab it on all over one eyelid to kill the bacteria. I use another cotton ball for the 2nd eyelid, and a 3rd for the rest of my face. Again, don't get any hydrogen-peroxide in your eyes.

My eyelids were irritated and sore so I applied Neosporin on them afterwards to help them heal. Neosporin is oily which may clog the oil glands again, though, so it's probably best to use it before bed and sleep with it on. Or skip it if re-clogs the eye oil glands.

I also take Bilberry, Evening Primrose Oil, and Omega-3 oil pill supplements. They have helped my eyes feel less dry, also.

I hope this will help you, Beth!

Everything I have listed here is available at Walmart. I'm sure any store with a pharmacy would have the stuff.