The Chase’s Bradley Walsh suffers from a health condition not many people know about: What is Blepharitis?

Bradley Walsh, a British television presenter, actor, and comedian, is now a staple on TV. Walsh began his career as a stand-up comedian but later transitioned into TV roles. He gained peak popularity while hosting the quiz show The Chase. Throughout his career, Walsh has been a constant presence on ITV, but his career has also taken him to the BBC.

The star— who became the richest presenter in the UK last year —recently revived Gladiators for a second series with his son Barney Walsh. Walsh also made a significant career change from just hosting TV shows last year, when he was announced as the new host of the Royal Variety Show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Despite a flourishing career and lively appearance on TV, did you know the UK’s beloved presenter suffers from a severe eye condition?

Bradley Walsh’s struggle with an eye condition that not many people know about

The Chase host suffers from the debilitating eye condition blepharitis. The 64-year-old previously opened up about his eye condition on This Morning with GB News host Eamonn Holmes—who still wears his wedding ring after splitting from Ruth Langsford.

Walsh revealed he’s on medication to control the symptoms and takes a pill every day to reduce any flare-ups, reports Mirror. He said:

People don't realise I have seriously bad blepharitis. I have to take one pill a day for it or I really struggle.

Revealing he may need eye surgery at some point, Walsh added:

I am going to need my eyes operated on at some point to sort it out. So many times, people have commented on how I look. But they don’t realise. If I take medication though, I'm fine.

As of 2024, it is not known yet if the star has undergone the surgery he mentioned or if it is still required.

What is blepharitis—the eye condition Bradley Walsh suffers from?

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids, which can cause symptoms such as redness, irritation, swelling, and crusting at the base of the eyelashes. It can result in the sufferer's eyes being stuck together when they wake up in the morning. According to the NHS website, blepharitis can be caused by bacteria living on the skin, a skin condition like dermatitis, or glands inside the eyelids not producing enough oil.

Symptoms include sore eyelids, itchy eyes, and a 'gritty' feeling in the eyes. This condition can be uncomfortable and may lead to dry eyes, conjunctivitis, or cysts, but it is typically not sight-threatening. Managing blepharitis usually involves maintaining good eyelid hygiene, using warm compresses, and sometimes applying prescribed medications. In some cases, it can also be treated by washing your eyelids every day.

One of the main things a person with blepharitis has to be careful about is ensuring they don’t wear lenses or eye makeup—especially eyeliner and mascara.

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Sources Used

Mirror: Gladiators' Bradley Walsh warned of 'silent killer' as he says 'I'll need an operation'

NHS: Blepharitis