Search Eye Pictures

Friday, March 18, 2011

Red and Irritated Eyes

Sometimes the eyes feel are red in the mornings and they feel irritated.  In the picture below the patient has a lot of debris in their tear film, the eyes are a little red, and there are clogged glands on the lid margin.  This is called meibomianitis.  This is a chronic condition that comes from overpopulation of the normal bacteria in the eyelid because of glands having a tendency to clog.  Treatment ranges from hot compresses (rubbing the eyes well with a very hot cloth a few times a day) to doxycycline pills on a long term basis.  Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may also help. When the eye becomes very inflammed to where it causes light sensitivity and pain, we have to use combination antibiotic/steroid drops. 

No comments: