Blepharitis Treatment in Brooklyn

Name: Blepharitis
Brand: New York Laser Vision
Rating: 4.7 (503 reviews)

Persistent eyelid irritation can disrupt your daily routine, but proper eye care can quickly get your symptoms under control.

Understanding Blepharitis: Inflammation of the Eyelids

Blepharitis literally translates from Latin as “inflammation of the eyelids”. It is a very common, chronic condition that affects at least 50 percent of our patients at some point in their lives. Blepharitis is a very common cause of itchy, red, and irritated eyelids. It is also one of the more common causes of Dry Eye Disease. Here we will address some of the questions that patients experiencing blepharitis in Brooklyn frequently ask.

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. There are different types of blepharitis. The most common types are:

Inflammation of special tear glands (meibomian glands) in the eyelids
Blepharitis related to Staphylococcal bacterial infection in the eyelids
Infestation of eyelids with mites (Demodex)
Rosacea blepharitis (related to rosacea of the face)
Seborrheic blepharitis (related to dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows)
Allergic blepharitis

What Do People with Blepharitis Feel?

Redness of eyelids and, eventually, of the eyes
Itchy, sore, irritated eyelids and eyes
Discharge or crusting in the mornings
Dryness and irritation of eyes
Loss of lashes
Frequent styes or bumps on the eyelids

Is Blepharitis an Infection?

Some types of Blepharitis are caused by either infection due to an excessively high number of Staphylococcal bacteria on the eyelids or an infestation with Demodex mites. Staphylococcus may be normally present on our skin; however, in some cases, it tends to overgrow excessively and cause problems. Demodex mites are tiny mites that live on our skin and (in small amounts) normally don’t cause any problems. However, when they start overgrowing on the eyelids, they may cause severe inflammation (Demodex blepharitis).

Is Blepharitis contagious?

Whey eyelid inflammation is caused by infection with Staphylococcus bacteria or infestation by Demodex mites it may be contagious. It is transmitted by close contact or sharing eye makeup.

What causes Blepharitis?

We still don’t know the exact reason why some people are susceptible to blepharitis, but it might be associated with the following:

Certain skin conditions: Rosacea and Eczema
Oily skin (both Demodex mites and Staphylococcal bacteria are more likely to grow and thrive)
Age (more common in older patients)
Medical conditions, such as Diabetes (possibly because of decline in immune defenses)
Hormones
Poor hygiene (not paying attention to washing of eyelids etc., see more below)
Poorly functioning immune system: Stress, Medical Problems, HIV
Pollution. This is still under investigation, but there might be a relationship between pollution and blepharitis

Can Blepharitis Cause Problems with My Vision?

Blepharitis will not cause permanent vision decline, but it may cause fluctuating (changing) vision. Blepharitis is a common cause of Dry Eye Syndrome. Patients with Dry Eye tend to feel that their vision changes throughout the day.

They may feel that things are not as clear as they should be when using computer, reading, or watching TV for a while. Blinking or resting may improve the vision, but only for a short time, as the problem eventually recurs.

How is Blepharitis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis should be made at your eye doctor’s office. Our competent specialists at New York Laser Vision will be able to identify the cause of your inflamed eyelids by studying your eyelids under the microscope, taking a culture if bacterial infection is suspected, obtaining a high-tech image of your eyelids, or doing a quick and painless test called Tear Lab (to analyze the composition of your tears).

What are My Blepharitis Treatment Options?

Home Remedies

Blepharitis is a chronic condition. We will be able help you get it under control, but not cure it, as it is a persistent disease. For this reason, learning how to take care of your eyelids is very important in order to help our doctors improve your condition faster and to prevent is from coming back again. Here, at New York Laser Vision, we have a highly knowledgeable patient education consultant, who can sit down with you and go over the at-home treatments, over-the-counter products that may help, proper application of prescription medications, and other treatment options.

Prescription Medications

In certain cases, such as with Blepharitis caused by infection or infestation or allergies, medical treatment is needed to improve your condition and prevent it from causing other eye and vision problems. Those may include both drops, ointments, and oral pills. We reserve the oral treatment for those who don’t respond to other methods or in cases when other body parts (frequently the face) are also affected (in case of resistant rosacea, for example).

In-Office Treatment

At New York Laser Vision Dry Eye and Blepharitis Center, we offer the latest in treatment of these common conditions. One such treatment is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). The treatment is reserved for patients who are unable or unwilling to use drops and ointments frequently (or for prolonged periods of time as is sometimes required), or for those who don’t respond to usual medical treatment. The treatment is safe, painless, and effective. An increased number of patients who do not feel better from common treatments are coming to New York Laser Vision specifically for IPL Dry Eye/Blepharitis treatment. We have seen a great response rate to this brand-new, innovative treatment, and more and more of our blepharitis patients in Brooklyn are able to finally be free from constant drop and ointment use! While the procedure is not covered by any insurance plans, it’s affordable and, to make it even more so, we offer interest-free financing.

Please call (718) 395-5338 to get more information or to schedule a consultation with one of our blepharitis specialists in Brooklyn at New York Laser Vision.

Why Choose New York Laser Vision for Blepharitis Treatment in Brooklyn?

New York Laser Vision is an accredited dry eye center. Patients seeking blepharitis treatment in Brooklyn get advanced diagnostics and in-office therapies that go beyond warm compresses and drops. Blepharitis is one of the most common drivers of dry eye disease, so our doctors treat both conditions together rather than in isolation.

Our Brooklyn team brings focused experience in chronic eyelid inflammation:

Dr. Rachel Mindin, OD, is a recognized expert in dry eye disease and eyelid inflammation, with certifications in Lumenis OptiLight IPL and OptiPlus radiofrequency.
Dr. Julia Giyaur, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2025) with more than 15 years of experience.
Dr. Milana Sapozhnikov and Dr. Anastasiya Zagurskaya bring additional expertise in dry eye and ocular surface disease.

Blepharitis is a long-term condition, so ongoing support matters as much as the first visit. A dedicated patient education consultant walks you through lid hygiene routines, over-the-counter products, and how to use your medications. Several of our providers speak Russian and Spanish, and we offer interest-free financing for IPL therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blepharitis

Can blepharitis be cured?

Blepharitis usually cannot be cured, but it can be well controlled. A Cochrane review found that lid hygiene, including warm compresses and lid scrubs, relieved symptoms, but there was no strong evidence that any treatment cures chronic blepharitis. Consistent home care combined with in-office treatment at New York Laser Vision keeps flare-ups less frequent and milder.

How long does blepharitis treatment take to work?

Most patients notice improvement within a few weeks of consistent eyelid hygiene and prescribed treatment. According to the Merck Manual, eyelid hygiene with warm compresses and cleansing of the lid margins is the foundation of therapy for every type of blepharitis. Patients who don’t respond to these measures may benefit from medications or IPL.

Can I wear contact lenses with blepharitis?

Contact lenses can worsen irritation during a flare-up because debris and bacteria along the lid margin may collect on the lens. Your New York Laser Vision eye doctor may recommend switching to glasses temporarily. You can usually return to lenses, sometimes daily disposables, once the inflammation settles.

Should I stop wearing eye makeup if I have blepharitis?

Eye makeup can clog the oil glands along the lash line and harbor bacteria. Pausing eyeliner and mascara during flare-ups helps, as does removing all makeup every night and replacing products every few months. Never share eye makeup, because some forms of blepharitis can spread this way.

What is the difference between blepharitis, a stye, and pink eye?

Blepharitis is ongoing inflammation of the eyelid margins. A stye is a painful, localized bump caused by a blocked or infected gland. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) affects the thin membrane covering the white of the eye. Untreated blepharitis makes styes and chalazia more likely, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.

Can children get blepharitis?

Yes. Blepharitis is more common in older adults, but children can develop it too, often along with recurring styes. New York Laser Vision provides pediatric eye care in Brooklyn. Our team adapts lid hygiene routines and treatment plans for younger patients.

Is blepharitis treatment covered by insurance?

Depending on your plan, medical eye visits to diagnose and manage blepharitis are often billed to medical insurance. IPL therapy is not covered by insurance, but New York Laser Vision offers interest-free financing to make it more affordable. Our Brooklyn staff can help verify your benefits before your visit.

When should I see an eye doctor for eyelid irritation?

Schedule an exam if red, crusty, or itchy eyelids last more than a week or two, keep coming back, or come with blurry vision, eye pain, or light sensitivity. Sudden vision changes or severe pain need prompt attention. Call our Brooklyn office at (718) 395-5338 to book an appointment.