# How to Treat Inflammation at the Lash Line

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/how-to-treat-inflammation-at-the-lash-line

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-09

> **Summary:** Inflammation at the lash line (blepharitis) is chronic inflammation of the oil (meibomian) and sweat (Zeis and Moll) glands at the eyelid edge, causing redness, burning, watering and crusting. Poor hygiene is a trigger but not the only cause; it is managed with eyelid hygiene, warm compresses with lid massage, artificial tears and, when needed, antibiotic drops or creams prescribed by an ophthalmologist.

## Quick Facts
- **Medical name:** Blepharitis (anterior or posterior)
- **Glands involved:** Meibomian (oil), Zeis and Moll (sweat)
- **Basic treatment:** Warm compress at around forty degrees, five to ten minutes, two to four times a day, with lid massage
- **During treatment:** No contact lenses, eyeliner or mascara
- **Course:** Can be long, can recur or become chronic; lid cleaning should continue for a long time

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## What Is It?
Blocked or overactive oil glands at the eyelid edge cause redness, irritation, burning and watering, and at advanced stages crusting and flaking. Meibomian gland dysfunction disturbs the lipid layer of the tear film, increasing ocular surface dryness and burning, and can lead to dry eye. Unlike a stye, blepharitis does not create a vision problem, but it still needs treatment. A stye that does not clear can leave a chalazion, a blocked-gland cyst, which may need surgical removal if it persists.

## Types
- **Anterior blepharitis:** affects the front of the lid margin where the lashes emerge.
- **Posterior blepharitis:** inside the eyelid, affecting the oil glands.

## Symptoms
- Scaly, greasy crusting at the base of the lashes
- Loss of lashes (madarosis) or lashes growing in the wrong direction (trichiasis)
- Excessive sensitivity to light
- Swollen, oily-looking eyelids
- Dry eye, redness, stinging and watering
- Blurred vision and watering while using a computer
- Irregular contour or asymmetric swelling at the lid margin

Possible complications: stye, conjunctivitis, keratitis.

## Causes
- Poor hygiene (a trigger)
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis, rosacea, Demodex mites, staphylococcal colonisation, allergies
- Uncontrolled oil gland activity
- Unclean contact lens solutions
- Eye creams and similar products
- Sleeping in make-up
- Bacteria, infections and sometimes parasites

## Treatment
Treatment differs from person to person; follow the doctor's advice and use prescribed medication regularly.
- Warm compress at around forty degrees for five to ten minutes, two to four times a day, with lid massage.
- Clean the lid and lash base regularly with shampoos that do not sting the eyes.
- Artificial tears for dryness, prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
- Antibiotic eye drops or creams to bring the inflammation under control.
- Supplements such as omega 3 can, on a doctor's advice, support eyelid gland function.
- Stop contact lenses, eyeliner and mascara for a time.

## Prevention
Insert lenses with clean hands and change the solution often, never sleep in make-up, and do not touch the eyes with dirty hands.