About Blepharitis & Meibomitis

Private Eye Care in London
by Consultant Laura Crawley

Blepharitis

Blepharitis and Meibomitis are the leading cause of patient visits to the ophthalmologist in the developed world. We see 15% of people over age 65 years with Blepharitis.

The symptoms include

Itchy eyes
Burning eyes
Red eye
Scratchy eye
Blurred vision
Dry eye
Tears running down face
Gritty eyes in the morning
A grey mucus discharge from the eye
Eye fatigue
Smeary vision, and
A foreign body sensation in the eye

Blepharitis and Meibomitis has no cure, but we can manage it.

PATIENT STORIES

What Patients Say About Laura Crawley

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I had the best experience working with Dr Crawley. I felt looked after and she took the time to get to know me. I would highly recommend her.

Sven K. | Brighton

From the moment I met her to the moment I left, I was treated with great courtesy and kindness, and everything was explained to me in layman’s terms so I could fully understand my condition. I was immensely impressed.

Paul | London

“Thank you very much for seeing me yesterday, you were marvellous and a pride to the NHS”

Mariah P. | London

Dear Laura,
Just a quick note to say thanks for looking after my mum Mrs M. so wonderfully. It was so good of you to take so much time and care as she was very worried about my appointment and you really made such a difference to my experience. Thank you.

Ruth S. | Oxford

Dear Angela and Laura,
Thank you very much for seeing me yesterday. You were both marvellous and a pride to the NHS. You could, if you two wish, send this to your line manager. Thank you again!

Rebecca K. | Brighton

Dear Laura,
Enjoy your holiday and thanks for everything so far.
Best Wishes

Janet A. | London

Symptoms of Blepharitis and Meibomitis

There are various symptoms of blepharitis. As a rule, your eyes feel uncomfortable, gritty, red and irritable.

Burning
Stinging
Red
Sticky, mucus in the morning
Gritty or sand-like feeling
Eyes feel tired all of the time

On the edges of the upper and lower eyelids lie some oil glands. They sit just behind the eyelashes and produce oil, an important part of your tears. Tears are a mixture of oil and water. The watery part comes from the lacrimal gland, which sits behind the brow bone. In blepharitis, the oil glands become blocked.

As a result, your tears are too thin, made up to a great extent of water. They run down your face rather than sitting on the front surface of the eye to moisturise them. This results in dry eye.

The oil builds up in the glands making the lid edges swell or become sore and red.

Dead skin cells mix with the thick oil droplets forming flakes. The flakes then move along the eyelashes and drop onto the eye further exacerbating the grittiness that you feel. You cannot see this when you look in the mirror, but your eye doctor can see it through the microscope.

Diagnosing Blepharitis and Meibomitis

Blepharitis is a clinical diagnosis. Your specialist Laura Crawley will give you a diagnosis when she examines your eyelids and eyes on the slit lamp microscope. She will also have a discussion about your symptoms. There is no blood test for blepharitis.