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Blepharitis can be a debilitating condition but one that with the right treatment, can be relatively symptomless. However the treatments that work are different for each patient and require some level of experimentation and refinement, and a lot of support for something that can have a huge impact on a person’s day-to-day existence.
We were delighted to receive an email from a patient, Ivan, to update us on his battle with blepharitis. With his permission, we now share his journey in the hope that someone who is suffering with the condition will be encouraged that they can turn a corner in their own treatment.
Ivan writes, “Back in 2017, when I was 18, I visited Ian at Cameron Optometry with the hope that he could help with my blepharitis condition. It was a very desperate time for me - my condition began when I was about 14 and it severely affected my social development since I was extremely self-conscious about my swollen, irritated eyes. I would have done anything to rid myself of the discomfort, both physical and social, that I had to endure.
“I would like to thank you for your incredibly kind, warm, human meeting with me. The Blephasteam kit you lent me, played a huge role in my blepharitis treatment journey. They provided a much more effective mixture of heat and moisture than my previous, improvised treatments, and using them gave me the confidence to live a more social life and not be afraid of committing to social events. But aside from the goggles, the most helpful thing that I took away from our meeting was your comforting and supportive tone. It really meant a lot to me.
“I also wanted to share my most effective treatment, the silver bullet if you will, with others dealing with blepharitis; my diet. Given how established the link between diet and skin health is, modifying my diet should have been one of my first ideas. It turned out that consuming dairy had an enormous impact on my blepharitis, and cutting it out dramatically improved my condition.
“I am immensely grateful for your help and support. Our short interaction had a huge impact on me and represented a significant step forward in terms of treating my blepharitis. And it is a testament to how much you care about your practice and your patients.”
If you struggle with blepharitis, looking at your diet may well be beneficial, and certainly speaking to your optometrist who will provide you with solutions and support for a condition that can be a daily battle for so many.
Thank you to Ivan for sharing his story. We hope it helps others.