Eyelid Hygiene: Why It Matters

People tend to take eyelid hygiene for granted. However, many eye complications are caused either directly or in part by dirty eyelids. That’s why any qualified optician Minneapolis would remind their patients to take care of their eyelids.

Read on to learn about the do’s and don’ts of eyelid hygiene.

What’s the Primary Function of Your Eyelids?

Your eyelids protect your eyes from dirt and all kinds of debris and also block light to help you sleep. In addition, they help keep the cornea moist. Whenever you close your eyes, the eyelids help spread tear film, a lubricant and antimicrobial secretion produced by lacrimal glands, across the surface of the cornea, keeping it from drying out.

Here’s a lesser-known fact: your eyelids contain the thinnest skin on the body, being made of intricate layers of muscle, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels and fat. This complexity, combined with their constant exposure to the elements, makes them vulnerable to a number of conditions.

What Are the Common Complications?

Problems with your eyelids can lead to various complications:

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome occurs when you aren’t able to produce enough tears, which are a mixture of water, fatty oils and mucus that help keep your eyes smooth and clear and fight off infection. One of the possible reasons for insufficient tear production is inflammation along the edges of your eyelids, which prevent oil glands from secreting oil into tears.

Without sufficient tears, you may experience the following symptoms:

1. Sensitivity to light
2. Blurred vision
3. Red, watery eyes
4. Difficulty with wearing contact lenses or driving at night

Optometrists usually prescribe tear-stimulating drugs to patients suffering from dry eye, but if the underlying cause is inflamed eyelids, your doctor might prescribe some eye drops or ointment.

Quick Tip: 

You can also get dry eyes from not blinking enough, which can happen when you stare at a digital screen for too long. Remember, your eyelids are responsible for spreading tear film over your cornea. To prevent your cornea from drying out, eye doctors recommend following the 20-20-20 rule: look away from your device and focus on something about 20 feet away from you for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Blepharitis

Microscopic debris, such as dandruff from your scalp and eyebrows or eyelash mites and lice, as well as crusts along the eyelid, can clog the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes, resulting in the inflammation of your eyelids. A bacterial infection or other skin conditions like rosacea can also cause blepharitis. Symptoms include:

1. Swollen or greasy eyelids
2. Falling, crusted, or misdirected eyelashes
3. Flaky skin around the eyes
4. Red, watery eyes
5. Frequent blinking

Luckily, simple treatment can help relieve the symptoms. Just wash your eyes and place a warm compress on your eyelids to reduce inflammation. If, however, the symptoms don’t subside after cleaning and treating the infected area, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Blepharitis can be caused by other skin conditions, so you may need to undergo a comprehensive eye exam to rule out the other possible causes.

Quick Facts: What are Eyelash Mites?

Eyelash or Demodex mites can cause eyelid infections. As revolting as it may sound, practically everyone has Demodex mites. These microscopic mites feed off skin cells and live in your pores, although they can be found on your eyelashes as well. A few mites shouldn’t cause any problems, but complications might arise if there are too many. Symptoms include:

1. Itchiness in your eyelashes and the areas surrounding the skin
2. A burning sensation in your eyes
3. Flare-ups of other skin conditions

Keep in mind that since these mites are microscopic, the only way to know if they’re the root cause of eyelid infections or any skin condition is to see an optician.

Sty 

A sty is a of the complication that can develop from blepharitis. It’s a red, painful, pimple-like, pus-filled lump located on the edge of the eyelid, although it can sometimes pop up on the inner part of your eyelid as well. Other symptoms might include:

1. Painful eyelids
2. Swelling on the eyelids
3. Tearing

You shouldn’t worry too much; most styes disappear in a few days. In the meantime, you can apply a warm washcloth for five to 10 minutes several times a day to relieve any discomfort.

Treatment and Prevention: Eyelid Hygiene 

An essential part of managing eyelid infections and preventing them is eyelid hygiene. However, you need to take extra care when cleaning your eyelids. Remember, the skin on your eyelids is extremely thin and sensitive.

Treating Eyelid Infections 

Treatment of eyelid infections should almost always involve a warm compress. Heat improves blood flow to an injured or inflamed part of your body, relieving pain and discomfort. It can also melt blocked residue near the oil glands in your eyelids. To prepare a warm compress:

• Wash your hands.
• Dampen a washcloth with warm, not hot, water.
• Close your eyes and place the washcloth over your eyelids for a few minutes. If you have an eyelid infection, your doctor will tell you how long you need to place the compress over your eyes.
• Gently rub the washcloth over the edges of your eyelids, taking care not to press too hard, before opening your eyes.

Everyday Cleaning 

Remember, your eyelids are thin and sensitive, which is why you should only use a mild cleaning solution to clean them as well as the sensitive skin surrounding your eyes.

• After washing your hands, moisten a washcloth with a mild cleaning solution.
• Carefully wipe your eyelashes and eyelids
• Gently rub the washcloth over the edges of your eyelids, taking care not to press too hard, before opening your eyes.
• Rinse using warm water.
• Repeat the same process for the other eye using a different washcloth.

A Quick Tip About Make-Up Brushes 

If you put on makeup as part of your daily routine, eye doctors recommend going through your drawer every six months and replacing all your cosmetic products, especially make-up brushes and mascara. Once a product has been opened, it’s exposed to the environment and will likely be contaminated by bacteria and even eyelash mites.

Of course, replacing your make-up products every six months can be expensive. That’s why you should buy in smaller amounts or sample sizes. That way, you can minimize contamination, not to mention the risk of skin and eyelid infections.

The Importance of Eye Exams

We strongly recommend undergoing a routine eye examination to check for underlying eye conditions, including eyelid problems. As you age, the risk of contracting vision-related conditions increases. Through early diagnosis and treatment, you can prevent complications from developing and preserve your vision and quality of life.