If your condition is severe or chronic, your doctor may refer you to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for treatment.
A good time to apply the antibiotic ointment is right after your soaking and cleansing routine. Be careful not to get the ointment in your eyes. Only apply it to your eyelids. If you do get it into your eyes by accident, rinse them with cool water immediately. Your doctor may recommend washing your eyelids daily with a mixture of warm water and a few drops of baby shampoo before applying the ointment. You can also purchase an over-the-counter eyelid cleansing scrub. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Optometric Association Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health Go to source
Make sure to finish the entire course of antibiotics even if your symptoms go away. Not finishing the course of antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance, which can make it harder to treat blepharitis in the future.
Apply the ointment or eye drops after you finish your cleansing and soaking regimen. This will help to ensure that the medication stays on or in your eyes. Only use steroid eye drops under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Ask your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication.
For example, you could take the first dose after finishing your eye cleansing routine in the morning at 7:00 am and the second dose after finishing another eye cleansing routine at 7:00 pm. Never touch the dropper with your fingers or touch it to a surface. This can introduce bacteria into the dropper, which could lead to an eye infection.
Also, make sure to tell your doctor if you’ve lost eyelashes. Although it’s rare, this can sometimes indicate that the inflammation is due to eye cancer. [11] X Research source
Apply a warm compress 2 to 4 times daily to help soothe and cleanse your eyelids.
Use a different washcloth or at least a different section of the washcloth for each of your eyelids. You can also massage the soapy water into your eyelids with your fingertips. Make sure to keep your eyes closed while you do this. Baby shampoo is mild, but it may still cause some irritation if it gets into your eyes.
Keep your eyes closed while you rinse away the soap.
You could also use a clean, dry paper towel to pat your eyelids dry.
For example, you could do your soaking and cleansing routine first thing in the morning and right before bed at night.
Leave yourself a note on the bathroom mirror or set a reminder on your phone to remember to blink more.
Keep in mind that it may take a week or longer to notice a difference.
Look for tea tree oil eye wash and ointments at your local drug store or online.
You can also eat more foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Be aware that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may not provide benefits immediately, but you may see an improvement in the recurrence of symptoms over the course of 1 year.
