Eyelid and Eyelash Problems
About two-thirds of New Zealanders have an eye problem at some time. Common problems include inflammation and infection of the eyelids and eyelashes (also called blepharitis and styes).
Blepharitis
Symptoms of blepharitis include inflammation of the eyelids, with crusting or scales at lid margins. The eyelids are usually red, thickened, burning, sore and feel itchy, and may be stuck together in the mornings. Your eyes may be sensitive to light. The condition is often chronic (long lasting) and tends to be associated with dandruff and/or dry eye.
Styes
A stye is caused by an infected gland at the base of your eyelash. The main symptom is a painful, swollen upper or lower eyelid which is sensitive to touch. The eyes may also water and be sensitive to light. It can also feel like there is something stuck in your eye.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you have a weakened immune system, serious medical condition, or the person with the eyelid or eyelash problem is elderly or a child, always talk to the pharmacist. Also talk to the pharmacist if:
Your eye(s) are painful, sensitive to light; you see colour around lights or your sight is affected
You have strangely shaped pupils or cloudy eyes
Your eyes have a discharge, such as pus
You have other symptoms, such as headache, vomiting or a rash
Your eyes do not respond to treatment, or improve in two days
You have had the problem before
You think the problem was caused by something stuck in your eye
You have a cold sore, herpes or shingles
You are pregnant or breastfeeding – some medicines may not be suitable
You have allergies to any medicines
You wear contact lenses.
Treatment Tips
Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection (e.g., conjunctivitis), or if your eyes are red or irritated – check with your optometrist
Some eye drops should not be used with contact lenses – check with your pharmacist
Throw eye drop bottles away one month after opening – mark the date you open them on the bottle (check product details as some eye drops can only be used for shorter periods)
If you are using more than one type of eye drops, leave 10 minutes between applications
Some eye drops can cause temporary stinging, if this continues talk to your pharmacist
Protect your eyes from wind and sun by wearing sunglasses.
Tips for applying eye drops:
Always wash your hands first
Pull your lower eyelid down gently with your index finger to form a pocket – tilt your head back slightly and look up
Hold the bottle between your thumb and index finger and squeeze gently to release the recommended number of drops into your eye pouch
Do not touch your eye with the dropper tip
Do not blink, as this draws eye drops into the tear duct and out of the eye
Close your eye and press gently over the corner, near your nose, to stop the drops draining through your tear duct
Wait 10 minutes before adding other eye products
Use eye drops before eye ointment.
Tips for applying eye ointment:
Always wash your hands first
Hold the tube between your thumb and index finger, and rest your hand against the base of your nose, to position the tube tip
Apply a small blob of ointment into your lower eyelid pocket
Do not touch the eye with the tube tip.
Treatment Options
Always discuss treatment options with a pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
STYES
Styes go away on their own once they burst and pus is released
A warm, clean flannel placed gently over your eye can help the stye get ready to burst
Topical antiseptic
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Brolene eye drops
An antiseptic product may prevent an infection occurring once the stye bursts.
BLEPHARITIS
Clean your eyelids with a gentle eyelid cleaning solution and disposable make-up pads
You can make up a cleaning solution using baby shampoo:
–put about half a teaspoon of baby shampoo into a bowl of hot water. Wet a clean cloth with the solution. Place the cloth over the eyes as a compress for two minutes
–clean around the eyelashes gently, using a cotton bud dipped in the warm baby shampoo solution
–use the above treatment twice a day, then less often as the condition settles
–you can either use a new clean cloth each time or else rinse the used cloth in nappy solution as a good way to keep it clean for reuse (make sure you rinse the cloth well before using it again, so the nappy solution does not sting the eyes).
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g., Arrowcare Chlorafast, Bleph-10
These products may clear any bacterial infection – ask your pharmacist if they are suitable for your condition
See your doctor if the condition fails to get better with treatment.
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
