A new instrument aims to tackle blepharitis

Blepharitis, a term once described by a hospital colleague as guaranteed to make the heart sink in optometric practice, describes the inflammation of the eyelid margin that results from the varying influences of a group of underlying conditions.

Typically, the lid margin appears reddened and the lashes show the characteristic crusting and collarettes that lead patients to seek advice (Figure 1). These anterior signs usually have a causative seborrhoeic component and an infective element related to staphylococcal infection, the latter often promoting chronic disease with lash loss and tougher to remove lid debris. Posterior to this, meibomian gland involvement, with blocked gland openings and sebum build-up, adds to the irritation and also destabilises the tear film.