Eyelid infections with lash
Eyelid infections with lash extensions is a very common problem repeatedly treated by ocular physicians. Eyelids are very important part of the body because they protect our eyes from foreign bodies, dust, dirt and microscopic particles that can damage and cause infection to our eyes. They play major role in blinking phenomenon to spread tear film thoroughly.
Parts of eyelids
It comprises of following parts
- Skin: Thinnest skin in the human body. Eye lashes are present at the margins of the skin.
- Subcutaneous connective tissue
- Striated muscular layer
- Fibrous connective tissue
- Levator muscle aponeurosis
What is a lid margin?
Before digging the eyelid infection with lash, lets discuss the parts of lid margin. It has mainly three major parts:
- Eyelashes
- Glands of Zeis
- Glands of Moll
Lets understand the function of these parts one by one:
Eyelashes
Eyelashes not only add glamour, charm and fascination to the eyes but also they have very important duty to perform for the normal functioning of our eyes. They prevent the eyes from dryness
When the eyelids are closed, eyelashes provide a barrier against foreign objects that might irritate the eyes . They act as first line of defense against foreign particles and they keep the eyes lubricated.
Glands of Zeis
These are sebaceous glands located at the lid margin. They are associated with secretions of sebum in the hair follicles of eyelash. These secretions keep the eyelashes in their original position.
Glands of Moll
These are apocrine or sweat glands present in the eyelid margin. The third type of gland present in the eyelids is Meibomian gland.
Meibomian glands
They produce lipid layer of the tear. They are present in the tarsal plates of eyelids. Hence they play a major role in keeping the eyes lubricated.
Those who are in search of optimum beauty standards should follow the eye beauty trends that keep them safe from eyelid infections with lash. The trend of eyelash extension has become so famous now a days that every girls wants to grow the thickness of her lashes. However, according to optometrists there is an increase of tiny mites in these eyelashes due to unhygienic conditions. These are called Demodex mites.
How do they attach with the skin?
The bodies of these mites haves scales that help them to attach themselves with the eyelash follicle. Demodex mites have mouth parts intended to feed themselves on the hormones, oils, and skin cells present hair follicles.
Symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling of lid margin. It may take place due to inflammatory blockage of the glands.
How to prevent eyelid infections with lash?
- The practice of cleaning eyelashes should be done at least twice a week.
- Use an eyelash cleanser to remove any kind of dirt, make-up particles and debris from the lash.
- Use cotton pad and pour cleanser onto it and gently wipe the lashes.
- In case of recurrent irritation, itching or swelling visit to the eye physician.
- The lash extension; if not cleaned properly, can become a cause of bacterial infections e.g. Blepharitis.
- Regularly change cover of pillows and bedsheets.
- All the eyelash clinics must guide their clients about the hygiene and ways to clean their eyelashes to avoid eyelid infection with lash.
Well, lets find out some terms related to malposition of eyelash due to eyelid or lash pathologies. These terms include trichiasis, pseudo-trichiasis, madarosis, lash poliosis, trichomegaly.
Trichiasis is the acquired misdirection of eyelashes.
Pseudo-trichiasis is secondary to inflammation as in entropion.
Madarosis is the decrease in the number of eyelashes
Lash Poliosis is the premature graying of the lashes
Trichomegaly is the excessive eyelash growth
Eyelid infections with lash damaging the natural lashes
These are five most common eyelid disorders that predispose eyelash position.
Stye (Hordeolum)
It is a painful bump present on eyelid margin. It is an acute bacterial inflammation in lash follicle’s associated glands (glands of Zeis). The oil secreting glands get blocked resulting in swelling and pain. This is external Hordeolum. When the same bacterial inflammation occurs in the Meibomian gland, it is called internal Hordeolum.
Chalazion
in this ocular disease, there is a blocking of Meibomian glands leading to inflammatory reactions. This is also known as lipogranuloma . It is either chronic or acute. It is a swollen pain free gland.
Preseptal cellulitis
It is also known as peri-orbital cellulitis. There is an inflammation and swelling of eyelids but the ocular functions and movement of the respective eye are not normal. It may occur because of bacteria, virus or fungus.
Ocular herpis
Herpis Simplex Virus (HSV) causes ocular herpis. In this disease, different parts of eye get affected including eyelid. The symptoms may differ according to the affected part.
Blepharitis
It is the eyelid inflammation leading of clogging of tiny oil glands in the eyelid. The eyelid shows symptoms of redness, itching and irritation. Dandruff like scales appear on eyelashes. These scales maybe soft and greasy or hard and brittle. It has two types i.e. anterior and posterior blepharitis. Trichiasis, madarosis occur in anterior blepharitis.
Founder of EyesMatterMost- an optometry student who loves talking about eyes. I tend to cover topics related to optometry, ophthalmology, eye health, eyecare, eye cosmetics and everything in between. This website is a medium to educate my readers everything related to eyes.
