Blepharitis pathophysiology

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Blepharitis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Blepharitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Blepharitis pathophysiology On the Web

recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Blepharitis pathophysiology

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Blepharitis pathophysiology

CDC on Blepharitis pathophysiology

Blepharitis pathophysiology in the news

Blogs on Blepharitis pathophysiology

Directions to Hospitals Treating Blepharitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Blepharitis pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]

Overview

The exact pathogenesis of blepharitis is not fully understood. It is thought that blepharitis is caused by either bacterial colonization in the eyelids or meibomian gland dysfunction. Blepharitis may also be caused by allergens and mites that affect the eyelashes.[1][2]

Pathophysiology

Pathogenesis

The exact pathogenesis of blepharitis is not fully understood. It is thought that blepharitis is caused by either bacterial colonization in the eyelids or meibomian gland dysfunction. However, in most cases of blepharitis, there is a considerable pathogenesis overlap between anterior and posterior blepharitis.

Anterior blepharitis

Anterior blepharitis is often associated with staphylococcal infection or seborrhoeic dermatitis. The exact pathogenesis of anterior blepharitis is not fully understood. It is thought that blepharitis is caused by bacterial colonization (Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis) in the eyelids. Following bacterial colonization, bacterial lipase changes meibomian gland secretions and increases cholesterol concentration. These changes may result in an environment that affects the ocular surface and tear evaporation. It is thought that anterior blepharitis may also be caused by allergic response to bacterial antigens (mostly staphylococcal antigens).[1][2]

Posterior blepharitis

The exact pathogenesis of posterior blepharitis is not fully understood. It is thought that the abnormal meibomian gland secretions may result in posterior blepharitis. Posterior blepharitis is often associated with skin conditions, such as rosacea or seborrhoeic dermatitis. These conditions are associated with sebaceous glands and gland orifices abnormalities. It is thought that the abnormal meibomian gland secretions may cause a direct toxic effect on the ocular surface. Sebaceous glands abnormalities may also result in an environment that affect bacterial growth.[3]

Acute blepharitis

Acute blepharitis may be caused by irritant or allergen exposure.[4]

Chronic blepharitis

Demodex folliculorum is an external parasite in hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and meibomian glands. It may cause either anterior or posterior blepharitis. The exact pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis caused by the Demodex mites is not fully understood. It is thought that over-proliferation of Demodex folliculorum in meibomian glands may result in lid-margin infection and ocular discomfort. It is also thought demodex blepharitis may be caused by immune system reactions to the mites leading to inflammation. [5][6]

Associated Conditions

Many diseases are associated with blepharitis such as skin, systemic, and ocular disease. These include:

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, lid margin swelling, misdirection of lashes, loss of lashes, oily or greasy deposits and crusting of anterior lid margin, , and conjunctival hyperaemia are characteristic findings of blepharitis.[10]

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, non granulomatous inflammation with neutrophils, acanthosis, or parakeratosis are characteristic findings of staphylococcal blepharitis.[11]

On microscopic histopathological analysis, hyperkeratinization of the meibomian gland ductal epithelium, mononuclear cellular infiltrates, and spongiosis in eyelids are characteristic findings of seborrheic blepharitis.[12]

On microscopic histopathological analysis, chronic inflammatory changes, epithelial hyperplasia, and follicular plugging are characteristic findings of chronic blepharitis.[13]

Images

The following are gross images associated with blepharitis:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bunya VY, Brainard DH, Daniel E, Massaro-Giordano M, Nyberg W, Windsor EA; et al. (2013). "Assessment of signs of anterior blepharitis using standardized color photographs". Cornea. 32 (11): 1475–82. doi:10.1097/ICO.0b013e3182a02e0e. PMC 3947496. PMID 24055901.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dougherty JM, McCulley JP (1986). "Bacterial lipases and chronic blepharitis". Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 27 (4): 486–91. PMID 3957566.
  3. Blepharitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology/eyewiki (2014). http://eyewiki.aao.org/Blepharitis Accessed on July 14, 2016
  4. Lemp MA, Nichols KK (2009). "Blepharitis in the United States 2009: a survey-based perspective on prevalence and treatment". Ocul Surf. 7 (2 Suppl): S1–S14. PMID 19383269.
  5. Bhandari V, Reddy JK (2014). "Blepharitis: always remember demodex". Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 21 (4): 317–20. doi:10.4103/0974-9233.142268. PMC 4219223. PMID 25371637.
  6. Viswalingam M, Rauz S, Morlet N, Dart JK (2005). "Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis in children: diagnosis and treatment". Br J Ophthalmol. 89 (4): 400–3. doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.052134. PMC 1772603. PMID 15774912.
  7. 7.0 7.1 McCulley JP, Dougherty JM (1985). "Blepharitis associated with acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis". Int Ophthalmol Clin. 25 (1): 159–72. PMID 3156100.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Nemet AY, Vinker S, Kaiserman I (2011). "Associated morbidity of blepharitis". Ophthalmology. 118 (6): 1062–8. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.10.015. PMID 21276617.
  9. Blepharitis. Diseases Database (2016). http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/relationship.asp?glngUserChoice=1455&bytRel=2&blnBW=0&strBB=RL&blnClassSort=255 Accessed on July 15, 2016
  10. Benitez-Del-Castillo JM (2012). "How to promote and preserve eyelid health". Clin Ophthalmol. 6: 1689–98. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S33133. PMC 3484726. PMID 23118519.
  11. Seal D, Ficker L, Ramakrishnan M, Wright P (1990). "Role of staphylococcal toxin production in blepharitis". Ophthalmology. 97 (12): 1684–8. PMID 2087299.
  12. THYGESON P, VAUGHAN DG (1954). "Seborrheic blepharitis". Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 52: 173–88. PMC 1312591. PMID 13274422.
  13. Wesolowska M, Knysz B, Reich A, Blazejewska D, Czarnecki M, Gladysz A; et al. (2014). "Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles in different populations". Arch Med Sci. 10 (2): 319–24. doi:10.5114/aoms.2014.42585. PMC 4042053. PMID 24904668.