Hi!
I've recently been told by my Doctor I have Blepharitis. It started with really itchy eyes around 5 months ago. The skin around my eyes just got worse and worse and now is really red and swollen on my right eye. I'll try and post a picture if I can. Anyway my Doctor advised to bathe my eyes morning and night and keep moisturising throughout the day.
The only problem I have is that I'm an Ambulance Technician (like a Paramedic but without the degree) so I'm out responding to 999 calls 12 hours a day 3 or 4 times a week meaning I really struggle to keep to a strict cleaning routine. My eyes look terrible and I've had patients comment on it before which isn't ideal!
I'm wondering if anyone has got any tips or tricks that will help with the redness so my eyes don't look as bad as they do? I'm using Aveeno moisturiser and I was using Vaseline on a night but I've stopped that as it was making my eyes even more itchy. I've tried cleaning my eyes with baby shampoo, simple soap, aqeuos (I think that's spelt wrong) and just warm water and nothing seems to help with the redness.
I'm struggling to get back into my doctor's to talk to them about it but she said the last attempt to help would be a mild steroid cream for my eyes.
Any information would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Jack
Jack Sorry to read this. I suggest cleaning in betweeen your duties. I also would not apply any chemicals near your eyes as these as you have found out can cause itching etc.
There are some useful leaflets on the websites of famous eye hospitals.
Hi
i use the blephaclean wipes these are easy to carry with you and also a solution of cooled boiled wAter with blephasol lotion cotton buds to clean the rims of my lids.....I also got from the "Skin Shop" online Dry eye gel which has helped me a lot along the rims of my lids .....but I also now have eczema around my eyes where I need to use a hydrocortisone cream very lightly and once applied I wipe over with a dry cotton bud so it takes most back off but it works and I don't use it too often ...... I couldn't do without it though .....
good luck X
Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately I get very little time between shouts and what time I do have is normally spent doing paper work and cleaning the ambulance down.
I'll take on board not using any chemicals near my eyes though and see whether that helps.
Thanks again!
Hi!
Thanks very much for your reply. Where can I get the wipes from? They seem like I could carry them with me while on shift but the cooled boiled water would be a bit of a problem as I don't really have time to bathe my eyes whilst on shift.
Thank you again!
Jack
Jack
When did the blepharitis start?
https://patient.info/health/blepharitis-leaflet
Hello Jack, read this leaflet, it has a lot of information.
Don't use any creams near your eyes, it will clog up the Meibomian glands. Follow the instructions for cleaning your eyes & buy some lubricating eye drops because dry eyes don't help.
You need to spend time on reading about this.
Warm compresses twice a day & massaging your eyes will help.
Look at the Moorfields website, that also has a lot of information.
What chemicals do you use to clean out the ambulance? Do you use antiseptic swabs on patients Some contain solvents and acetone which are detrimental.
Jack can you carry some previously boiled then cooled down water in a small vacuum flask with you?
It started around 5-6 months ago and has just got progressively worse. We use Klinnel wipes which are antibacterial and then we have hand sanitiser as well. The only other chemicals used are to mop the floor with.
Possibly! But the problem I have is that I don't have time to bathe my eyes really. Anything that will take longer than a quick wipe is a no go while I'm at work unfortunately.
Thank you very much I'll give that a read now!
Thanks again,
Jack Turner
I use Wet Ones Be Gentle wipes and they really help as they are antibacterial. They come in a small packet which you should be able to carry with you and are available from Boots and are much cheaper than the Blephaclean wipes. My doctor prescribed steroid cream when I had a bad flare up, also available over the counter, and that really helped.
Hi Jack,
Sorry to hear you have this. My eyes didn't respond to anything except cortizone/steroid drops and cream. My Opthalmologist put me on to Maxitrol. This is usually as far as I'm aware just to get it under control and then to manage it. It is the only thing that got mine under control. They will be cautious with this as it can affect the eye pressure, which they will need to check.
For cleaning morning as soon as I;m up and night just before bed I wash my eyes with a solution 60ml warm water, a squirt of baby shampoo and 2 drops of Teatree oil. I use a facecloth (different one for each eye), dip it in and rub it along the eye lids, and lower rim by pulling it down slightly. It takes a few seconds for each one. I found previously that when I scrubbed and rubbed a lot it aggrevated it. So just a few strokes over each one. Then I quickly splash with clear warm water. It really doesn't take long. It is worthwhile seeing an Opthalmologist.
Computer screens, cellphone screens, wind and aircon aggrevate it so limit those where possible.
Blepharitis is somewhat of a journey and reading up on it and trying out things until you get what's right for you.
I think it is important to keep a positive attitude. Not always easy I know.
Wishing you well on your Blepharitis journey.
Ealine
Hi,have u tryed ice for the swelling?
First thing every morning run how water on a wash cloth as hot as your hands can take it. Then put this compress on you eyes for 1 minute. Then use the cloth to give you eyelids an agressive massage cleaning away the "sleep" and forcing the oils from you lids. If on occasion you begin to get styes take minocycline to knock down the infection, usually 3 to 5 days for me. Works for me. Good luck.
Im finding the same,q tips after months of use on rims are causing irritation. I mean lets face it,its not normally a thing you would do to such a sensitive part of the eye.
You could put some (ice) in a small cooler and use for a few minutes throughout the day. Make sure to wrap it in a cloth though. It takes swelling down and your eyes should become white.
Lee I would not advise putting any chemicals near the eyes
If you decide to use warm compresses it is important to use disposable tissues to avoid contamination and cross infection and re infecting your eyes.