Eyelid Inflammation and Dry Eye

When working at a computer, the eyes’ natural blink rate may drop from 20 to 40 times a minute to three times a minute. Other factors that can dehydrate the eyes’ tear film include arthritis, gout, eye surgery, poor nutrition, dehydration, low thyroid, lack of sleep, contact lenses, and topical eye medications. These factors don’t only cause dry eye, but along with bacteria, allergies, tumors, and environmental conditions, can also lead to a disease called “blepharitis”, which is inflammation of the eyelids.

Although dry eye and blepharitis symptoms are very similar, it is possible to tell the difference between the two. Both include sleepiness, difficulty reading, anxiety/depression, increased eye allergies, a sensation of dryness, redness, fluctuating vision, and tired eyes. Blepharitis symptoms alone also include burning and worsening towards the end of the day.

With no treatment, chronic dry eye and blepharitis will usually get worse over time. According to LASIK pioneer and ophthalmologist, Dr. Marguerite McDonald, 20 to 30 million people in the United States show symptoms of early stage dry eye disease.

Six million US women and three million men suffer from chronic dry eye. A drug called Restasis can help the eye’s lachrymal glands produce more and better natural tears. This is extremely helpful in treating dry eye symptoms. Nature’s Tears EyeMist, an all-natural eye mist product from Bio-Logic Aqua Research is also strongly recommended. Nature’s Tears EyeMist is the only eye care product that supplements lost tear film water without washing away the tear film’s lipid layer or other beneficial components.

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