Adult Blepharitis Workup

  • Author: R Scott Lowery, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 17, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

  • In general, diagnostic tests do not typically need to be performed for suspected blepharitis. Research and other rare protocols may involve eyelid margin cultures, transillumination studies of the meibomian glands, marginal biopsies, or even analysis of gland secretions.
  • Testing patients with blepharitis for tear insufficiency or nasolacrimal drainage problems is appropriate because these can be associated with blepharitis and can often complicate management.
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Histologic Findings

Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized histologically by spongiosis, mild perivascular, lymphohistiocytic, mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the superficial dermis. Staphylococcal blepharitis is a chronic nongranulomatous inflammation, usually with neutrophils and, often, acanthosis or parakeratosis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

R Scott Lowery, MD  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Arkansas Children's Hospital

R Scott Lowery, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD  Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Pinckney J 2nd, Cole P, Vadapalli SP, Rosen T. Phthiriasis palpebrarum: a common culprit with uncommon presentation. Dermatol Online J. Apr 15 2008;14(4):7. [Medline].

  2. Divani S, Barpakis K, Kapsalas D. Chronic blepharitis caused by Demodex folliculorum mites. Cytopathology. Mar 7 2009;[Medline].

  3. Dhingra KK, Saroha V, Gupta P, Khurana N. Demodex-associated dermatologic conditions - A coincidence or an etiological correlate. Review with a report of a rare case of sebaceous adenoma. Pathol Res Pract. Jan 22 2009;[Medline].

  4. Jackson WB. Blepharitis: current strategies for diagnosis and management. Can J Ophthalmol. Apr 2008;43(2):170-9. [Medline].

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  10. Fraunfelder FT, Roy FH, Steinemann TL. Current Ocular Therapy. 5th ed. 2000:72, 374, 378, 450.

  11. Held KS. Blepharitis. In: Decision Making in Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. 2000:50-51.

  12. Kanski JJ. Marginal blepharitis. In: Clinical Ophthalmology. 1984:1.2-1.4.

  13. Roy FH. Ocular Differential Diagnosis. 7th ed. 2002.

  14. Sullivan JH. Lids and lacrimal apparatus. In: General Ophthalmology. 14th ed. 1995:78-81.

  15. Weisbecker CA, Fraunfelder FT, Rhee D. Physicians' Desk Reference for Ophthalmology. 28th ed. 2000.

  16. Yanoff M, Fine BS. Inflammation. In: Ocular Pathology. 4th ed. 1996:166-168.

 
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