What is blepharitis?
- Part of the eye
- Eyelids
- Group
- Common conditions
- Vision functions involved
- Focus
- Main source
- NHS
Blepharitis affects the edges of the eyelids and tends to come and go. Skin conditions, bacteria and the oil glands in the lids can all play a part.
How blepharitis can affect day-to-day life
You may recognise some of these situations, or none of them. The point is to find help with the things you want to do.
Getting ready in the morning
Crusts around the lashes can make the eyelids feel sticky when you wake up.
Build gentle eyelid cleaning into your routine. Ask a pharmacist to demonstrate suitable care if you are unsure.
Make-up and contact lenses
Sore, itchy eyelids can make your usual eye make-up or lenses uncomfortable.
Avoid contact lenses and eye make-up while symptoms are present.
Symptoms which keep returning
Blepharitis comes and goes, so a good week does not always mean the problem has gone.
Keep up the lid-care routine you were advised to use. Get advice if symptoms do not improve. Eye pain or a change in vision needs urgent help.
Changes you may notice
- Flakes or crusts at the roots of the lashes.
- Sore or itchy lids, gritty eyes, or lids stuck together in the morning.
Everyone is different. Symptoms on their own cannot identify a condition.
What to do about a new or sudden changeAssessment and care
Regular gentle lid cleaning is usually the main treatment. A pharmacist can explain suitable products and show you the technique. Avoid eye make-up and contact lenses while you have symptoms. See a GP if symptoms do not improve or get worse.
How vision is affected
These topics explain the parts of vision involved. They do not predict your sight, diagnose anything or show the condition itself.
Focus
The cornea and lens focus light onto the retina. A focusing problem is different from damage to the light-sensitive cells or the optic nerve.
Open the focus labEveryday support
Pain inside the eye, a red eye or a change in your vision needs urgent advice. Do not assume these are part of a blepharitis flare.
A question to take to your appointment
Can you show me how to clean my lids safely, and when should I be seen again?Prepare your appointment checklist
Sources and review status
Sources checked 4 October 2026. Educational draft, not yet clinically reviewed. No clinician has endorsed this page. Follow the advice of your own eye-care team.
How this content is prepared