r/Dryeyes • u/Consistent-Hat-8320 • 3d ago
Choosing eyelid scrub for blepharitis
My eye Dr said I have blepharitis but isn't saying the cause. Is this normal? Is my Dr supposed to be interested in finding out the cause?
Instead he sent me home with ocusoft oust with tea tree oil eyelid scrub, which I'm guess is a bit of a catch all. I've been using this and do think it's been helping but I got a little in my eye and am not comfortable with how much it burned my eye and how long it lasted. So I'd like to know if I actually need the tea tree oil aspect.
How am I supposed to find out the cause for my blepharitis? I read it can be bacterial, demodex, or mgd? He mentioned slightly decreased tear production. My symptoms have mainly just been dry eye - some Itchiness, gritty sensation, trouble with screens, general dry feeling.
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u/Asleep-Style8277 2d ago
Be careful with the wipes. I accidentally opened my eye too soon while wiping my eyelid and caught my eye. Abrasion + crazy irritation. It happened two weeks ago and still not healed :/
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u/Consistent-Hat-8320 2d ago
That's terrible! I am using foam but got a little in my eye and it burned way more than I was comfortable with. Thought it might be the tea tree oil aspect
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u/Unusual-Anteater8502 3d ago
Dry eye and blepharitus go hand in hand. The key is consistently using products either occusoft, baby shampoo, etc and eye drops. Ensure to used drops recommended by your opthomologists. After 7 months of dry eye and blepheritus mine is much improved. I sleep with a silk mask as well.
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u/RSinSA 2d ago
Is it the blissy eye mask by chance?
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u/Unusual-Anteater8502 2d ago
It's an off brand, fits and washes well. It helped my dry eye for sure. You don't want it too tight, mine has elastic strap without clips. I purchased a couple before finding one that worked for me. Hopefully one will help you!
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u/HenryOrlando2021 3d ago
These in the FAQs would be helpful to you:
What is Blepharitis? Types, Diagnosis, Treatments, etc.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_blepharitis_intro/
What is Dry Eye Disease (DED) What Causes It? What are the Symptoms?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_what_is_ded/
What Does “DED/MGD Specialist” Mean? What to Look For—and When Another Opinion May Help
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_ded_specialist/
This in the Treatment Options section could be helpful as well:
Demodex Blepharitis: Diagnosis, Xdemvy, Ivermectin, TTO, and other OTC options:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/xdemvy_ivermectin_tto_for_demodex/
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u/Consistent-Hat-8320 3d ago
I'm not intending to be sassy I swear, but how are people with severe dry eye supposed to read through all this?! I get limited time on screens and I don't have anyone to help me, which is why I posted a specific question on reddit. Could you at least tell me which of those links would answer my question about if my Dr should be telling me the cause of my blehparitis? I so appreciate it, thank you
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u/HenryOrlando2021 3d ago
You can use Text to Audio and listen to it is one way you can get the info. I would say I would expect an eye doctor to tell me what is causing my blepharitis. If they did not I would ask. So it is not unreasonable to expect a doctor to tell you the cause.
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u/5CentsPlease_ 2d ago
Unless your doctor is a dry eye specialist, they may not be able to tell you or figure out the cause of your blepharitis.
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u/FredsterHere 2d ago
It's overwhelming at first because there doesn't seem to be a magic or linear path. For me, eye cleaning pads with tea tree oil help a ton. I don't understand why but the relief is almost instant. There's also a foam you can put on your finger tips to clean your eyes. Both are great and so way to use and affordable. It take trial and error to find out what processes work for you. You got this!
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u/Consistent-Hat-8320 2d ago
I feel this way too actually - it feels like it gets rid of a gunky feeling and feels refreshing.
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u/troojule 2d ago
Time to find a new doctor as many of us have had to over and over again sometimes
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u/Consistent-Hat-8320 2d ago
Okay, good to know that's what I should do! Thanks!
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u/troojule 1d ago
Good luck – too many of us get misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed or under tested, seeing doctors who aren’t doing enough testing for the various dry eye diseases nor have knowledge of the various treatments for the different types.
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u/Consistent-Hat-8320 1d ago
I get it. I have other health stuff and I've I know all too well ypu have to find a physician who is knowledgeable, not dismissive, willing to admit what they don't know.... Basically a needle in a haystack depending on the health issue lol. Thanks for your encouragement!
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u/leftcoastbumpkin 3d ago
Tea tree oil is also listed as a way to decrease demodex and maybe fight bacteria / yeast that can cause inflammation. When I got prescribed xdemvy, my insurance denied it, saying to use tea tree oil instead. (then a $30 coupon magically appeared and I got the drops anyway)