GoodRx Guide
Blepharitis
Comprehensive information for you or a loved one — including treatment options and discounts on popular medications.
Definition
Blepharitis is an inflammatory eye condition that affects the eyelid edge. Your eyelid ridge (or eyelid margin) is made up of skin, tiny oil glands, and hair follicles from which the eyelashes grow.
There are two types of blepharitis:
Anterior blepharitis: This affects the eyelashes, eyelash follicles, and eyelid skin.
Posterior blepharitis: This affects the oil (meibomian) glands.
It’s possible to develop both types of blepharitis at the same time. Anyone can develop blepharitis from time to time. But some people have frequent episodes that come and go. This is called chronic blepharitis.
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Indications and Usage
XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% is indicated for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.
Important Safety Information
Most common side effects: The most common side effect in clinical trials was stinging and burning in 10% of patients. Other side effects in less than 2% of patients were chalazion/hordeolum and punctate keratitis.
Handling the Container: Avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to minimize contamination of the solution. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
When to Seek Physician Advice: Immediately seek a physician’s advice concerning the continued use of XDEMVY if you develop an intercurrent ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection), have ocular surgery, or develop any ocular reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions.
Use with Contact Lenses: XDEMVY contains potassium sorbate, which may discolor soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of XDEMVY and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Tarsus Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-421-4002 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Causes
It’s not clear what causes blepharitis. Skin bacteria and eyelash mites may increase the risk of developing blepharitis. Certain things can also trigger blepharitis episodes, including:
Allergies
Smoke exposure
Cosmetics
Retinoids
People with certain conditions, like dry eye and rosacea, are more likely to develop blepharitis too.
Symptoms
Blepharitis is an uncomfortable condition. It can lead to eyelid changes like:
Redness
Swelling
Itching
Crusting
Blepharitis doesn’t usually affect vision or cause scarring. It’s also not contagious. But episodes can be noticeable, which can take an emotional toll.
Treatments
There’s no cure for blepharitis. But there are blepharitis treatments that can help soothe symptoms and lower your risk of developing future flares. Here are some options:
Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and cleansers: These can help remove bacteria, mites, and debris from the eyelid margin. And this can help lower the risk of future flares.
Prescription medications: Medications like Xdemvy and antibiotic ointments can lower the number of mites and bacteria along the eyelid margin.
In-office treatments: This includes options like intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and thermal pulsation devices to offer relief from future flares.
References
Bunya, V. Y., et al. (2023). Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. EyeWiki.
Fowler, B. T., et al. (2023). Blepharitis. EyeWiki.
National Eye Institute. (2023). Blepharitis.