***Importance of Eye Hygiene***
When I think of hygiene, I think about body odor, dental care, hair grooming, etc. There is one area that might get neglected or overlooked by many of us. I know I have been guilty of this in the past. My eyes. You may be scratching your head right now…
“My eyes?” Yes. For some of us, it is very important to keep the eyes “clean”. If you suffer from a common condition known as blepharitis, you should follow a few easy steps to help ensure good eye health & hygiene.
Blepharitis is characterized by redness of the lids, flaking of eyelid skin, crusting, red eyes, gritty or foreign body sensation, and sometimes itchy lids. You may experience only one or all of these symptoms, depending on the severity. Blepharitis tends to be chronic, waxing and waning. This problem can usually be managed with a few simple steps.
First, wash your hands before going near your eyes. Daily warm compresses are the mainstay of blepharitis management. This is simply a clean washcloth or towel dipped in very warm water, then applied to the closed eyes for several minutes, reheating as needed. Afterward, carefully wipe the eyelids and lashes with the damp washcloth to remove any loosened debris. Some may benefit by using a very diluted solution of “No Tears” Shampoo such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo, to gently scrub along the eyelids & lashes 1 or 2 times daily. Commercially prepared Lid Scrubs & eyelid cleaning solutions are available as well. Artificial tears, which can be found over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, can also be helpful and are sometimes recommended.
Remember to wash those lids daily, & it will become just as much of a routine for you as brushing your teeth or taking a shower. If you are one who suffers from this, with any luck your eyes will stay as healthy as can be. If not, please pay us a visit, as medications are sometimes prescribed to assist in these conditions.
As always, one of the Physicians of Milwaukee Eye Care are happy to see you to diagnose & treat any condition that presents itself to your eyes!
Written by Bart W., Milwaukee Eye Care’ Ophthalmic Technician
