Blepharitis Treatment in Ayurveda

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids. They may appear red, swollen, or feel like they are burning. The Patient may have flakes or oily particles wrapped at the base of your eyelashes too. Blepharitis is a common disorder occurs when the oil glands can sometimes become clogged or irritated, which can trigger certain eyelid disorders. This leads to irritated and red eyes. It is not contagious.

Blepharitis usually involves that part of the eyelid from where the eyelashes grow and affect both eyelids. Blepharitis commonly occurs when tiny oil glands located near the base of the eyelashes become clogged. Several diseases and conditions can cause blepharitis.

Blepharitis can be divided anatomically into anterior and posterior blepharitis. Anterior blepharitis refers to inflammation mainly centered around the skin, eyelashes, and lash follicles, while the posterior variant involves the meibomian gland orifices, meibomian glands, tarsal plate, and blepharo-conjunctival junction.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose blepharitis include:

1. Examining the eyelids - Your doctor will carefully examine your eyelids and your eyes. He or she may use a special magnifying instrument during the examination.
2. Swabbing skin for testing - In few cases, your doctor may use a swab to collect a sample of the oil or crust that forms on your eyelid. This sample can be analyzed for bacteria, fungi or evidence of an allergy.

Types of Blepharitis

There are two types of eyelid inflammation:

1. Anterior eye inflammation – This type occurs on the outside of your eye where your eyelashes are located. Dandruff on your eyebrows and allergic reactions in your eyes can cause anterior eyelid inflammation.
2. Posterior eyelid inflammation - This type of blepharitis occurs on the inner edge of eyelids closest to your eye. A faulty oil gland behind your eyelash follicles usually causes this form of inflammation.

Causes of Blepharitis

The exact blepharitis cause isn't clear. It may be associated with one or more factors, including:

1. Dermatitis, dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows
2. A bacterial infection
3. Clogged or malfunctioning oil glands in your eyelids
4. Rosacea (a skin condition characterized by facial redness)
5. Various types of allergies
6. Eyelash mites or lice
7. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
8. Dry eyes
9. Fungal eyelid infection
10. Parasites (Demodex eyelash mites)

Signs and Symptoms of Blepharitis

Blepharitis symptoms and signs include:

1. Watery eyes
2. Red eyes
3. A gritty, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
4. Eyelids that appear greasy
5. Itchy eyelids
6. Swollen eyelids
7. Flaking of the skin around the eyes
8. Crusted eyelashes upon awakening
9. Sticking of eyelids
10. More frequent blinking
11. Sensitivity to light
12. Eyelashes that grow abnormally
13. Loss of eyelashes

Blepharitis Treatment in Ayurveda

Blepharitis treatment in ayurveda involves various herbal methods for blepharitis cure. Blepharitis is a vitiated vata and kapha doshas disease. The main target is to correct the underlying illness and relieve its symptoms. There are various medicines under blepharitis treatment in ayurveda that have the capability to cure blepharitis and its symptoms such as remove allergy and irritation from the eyelids. The total duration of 2-4 months of treatment is enough to blepharitis cure permanently.

There are various medications that come under the blepharitis treatment in ayurveda such as:

1. Krimigranthi - As this disease is a result of kapha and pitta, the measure which intensifies both the doshas are to be taken care of. Raktaprasadana and krimihara medicines are also recommended by the Ayurveda along with this medicine.
2. There are other medicines like Jatimukuladi varti anjanam, chandrodaya varti anjanam and many others that remove allergy and irritation from the eyelids causing relief from the symptoms.

The oral medication under blepharitis treatment in ayurveda involves the following:

1. Triphala guggulu
2. Amritadi Guggulu
3. Sarivadyasava
4. Phalatrikadi kashaya

The local application under blepharitis treatment in ayurveda involves the following:

1. Nagarjuna varti
2. Chandrodaya varti
3. Manashiladi varti
4. Vimalanjana
5. Jeevantyadi yamaka
6. Sourashtri netrabindu

Home Remedies for Blepharitis

The natural blepharitis treatment in ayurveda includes the following self-care measures such as:

1. Clean your eyes regularly, so that to avoid the formation of crusts on the eyelashes.
2. Lubricate your eyes - Try over-the-counter artificial tears. These lubricating eye drops may help relieve dry eyes.
3. Control dandruff - If you have dandruff that's contributing to your blepharitis, use an anti-dandruff shampoo tp avoid that.
4. Apply lemon juice and coconut oil on the scalp at night to remove dandruff of head.
5. Take amla juice and vitamin C rich diet to increase immunity to fight infections.

Lifestyle Changes and Preventions for Blepharitis

If you suffer from blepharitis, take the steps listed below to help your eyes:

1. Wet a clean cloth in warm water, then place it over your closed eyelids for 5 minutes.
2. Rewet as necessary to keep it warm. This will help soften the crusts and loosen oily debris.
3. Keep your eyelids always clean.
4. Wash your eyes twice or thrice a day.
5. Clean all the eye makeup before bedtime.