Healthy Eyelids, Healthy Eyes
Your eyelids are a very visible part of your appearance, so any infection in this area will not only be harmful for your eye health but also apparent to other people. At Bonner Eye Clinic, we can diagnose and treat eyelid problems such as styes and blepharitis.
Stye
A stye occurs when an eyelid gland becomes clogged. Even though it may look like a pimple, never attempt to puncture or squeeze a stye because this can spread infection. While a stye is not usually a serious condition, if left untreated complications could occur.
- Appearance: small, itchy, red bump at the lash line
- Cause: bacterial infection of an eyelid gland, usually near an eyelash follicle
- Treatment: drainage of the stye can be accomplished by applying a warm compress to the area, usually three to four times a day, and massaging the area gently. This can help bring the pimple-like bump to a head. Styes may eventually heal on their own (usually in about one week), but we may prescribe an antibiotic to promote healing.
If your stye is not responding to at-home treatment or you cannot open your eye, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Blepharitis
This is a very common and permanent condition of eyelid inflammation. In some cases, the symptoms can disappear for months or years before returning.
- Appearance: eyelid infection that results in red, itchy, scales on the eyelashes (similar to dandruff)
- Causes: there are two main causes of blepharitis.
- Staphylococcus blepharitis often begins in childhood and is caused by an overgrowth of staph bacteria. Common symptoms include collar scales on the lashes, crusting and chronic redness at the lid margin.
- Seborrhea dermatitis is dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows. This can cause greasy, waxy scales to accumulate along the eyelid margins.
- Treatment: careful daily cleansing of the eyelashes with warm water and mild shampoo can help control blepharitis. In some cases, we may prescribe eye drops or ointment to be used along with daily cleansing. However, medication alone is insufficient; keeping the eyelids clean is essential. In addition to eliminating the redness and soreness, treatment can prevent potential infection and scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva.
Blepharospasm
It’s normal to have an occasional involuntary eyelid twitch (blepharospasm) if you are stressed, tired or are experiencing eye strain. While these annoyances might drive you crazy for a short time, they usually go away on their own.
It is possible to have chronic eyelid spasms or facial twitches on one side of the face (hemifacial spasms) that can make daily activities, work and life in general very difficult and sometimes embarrassing. For some patients, we recommend BOTOX® injections to effectively treat these spasms by relaxing the facial or eyelid muscles. These injections can provide physical and emotional relief for up to 4 months and truly improve your quality of life.
If you are experiencing frequent or ongoing facial or eyelid spasms, contact our office today to schedule a consultation and find out if BOTOX for facial spasms might be an effective treatment for you.
Latisse
LATISSE®: Fuller, Thicker Eyelashes
LATISSE® is an FDA-approved solution for creating longer, fuller and darker eyelashes. Whether you are experiencing hypotrichosis (the loss or reduction of hair growth) or have bad habits that have thinned your lashes over time (pulling on your lashes, rubbing your eyes, sleeping in mascara, etc.) LATISSE may be a great solution for you.
How LATISSE Works
LATISSE is applied each night to the base of your upper eyelashes after removing contact lenses and cleansing the area. The medication is not applied to the lower lashes; it gradually spreads to these lashes as you blink. It may take up to 16 weeks to get the desired result, though some patients experience longer lashes in just 4 weeks. The product must be continued to maintain results.
Side Effects of LATISSE
Because LATISSE is an ophthalmic solution, it will not damage your eyesight if the solution gets into your eyes. Side effects can include redness, itching and watery eyes. The solution must be applied carefully; touching the applicator to other areas may result in unwanted hair growth. Another possible side effect of LATISSE is a possible permanent discoloration of the iris of the eye to a brown color.
Any product or solution that you use on or near your eyes should only be used with guidance from an experienced eye doctor to reduce your risks of side effects and help you achieve the results you desire. To find out if your eyelashes might be a good match for this treatment, contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
If you are experiencing any eyelid irritations in Grand Rapids or Hibbing, contact us today.
We’d Love to Tell You More About Eyelid Care
We invite you to schedule an eye exam so we can assess your vision for signs of eyelid conditions so treatment can be administered. During your visit to our practice, you will learn why so many people trust our team to protect their precious eyesight.
