A:
The underlying problem is the oils made in the glands of your eyelid.
You are (for unknown reasons) producing oils that are plugging up your glands. The infection is secondary. It's happening because the gland is not able to discharge its contents. The medical term for this is "chronic marginal blepharitis".
Therapy involves two steps:
- Lid hygiene
Use hot, moist compresses (clean towels) at least twice a day. (This is most important at bedtime.) This process warms the oils and makes them flow more easily. And the pressure of the compress forces the oils out of the lid glands. Do this for two minutes. Then, using "no tears" baby shampoo, wash the lids thoroughly.
- Change the nature of the oils
Add omega-3 to your diet, through either fish or flaxseed oils. If you have a big event coming up, your doctor can prescribe doxycycline. This will temporarily change the viscosity of the oils. Using steroid/antibiotic eye drops is also a temporary fix.
