This common condition can give you 'crusty' eyelids

Host of TV show The Chase, Bradley Walsh recently revealed that viewers have often commented on the way he looks on screen, with some saying he looks like he is ‘drunk’. He explained that the reason is because of a rather common condition he has that requires that he takes a pill a day lest he ‘really struggles’.

Blepharitis

The condition Walsh has is known as blepharitis. Symptoms include:

• sore eyelids
• itchy eyes
• a gritty feeling in the eyes
• flakes or crusts around the roots of the eyelashes
• eyelids sticking together in the morning when you wake up

Sensitivity to light, dry eyes and feeling like there’s something in your eyes are other signs of this condition. According to the National Eye Institute:

Blepharitis can be uncomfortable. But it isn’t contagious, and it usually doesn’t cause any lasting damage to your eyes.

How dangerous is it?

Blepharitis often happens because you have too much bacteria on your eyelids at the base of your eyelashes, the NEH says. Having bacteria on your skin is normal, but too much bacteria can cause problems. You can also get blepharitis if the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged or irritated. Some factors that increase your risk of developing this include:

• Rosacea — a skin condition that causes redness and bumps, usually on your face
• Allergies that affect your eyelashes
• Dandruff and oily skin

The main treatment for blepharitis is regularly cleaning your eyelids and keeping them free of crusts. Blepharitis usually doesn’t go away completely, but you can take steps to manage your symptoms. Optometrist, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu explained that it could develop into a more severe condition if left untreated.

Although blepharitis cannot be totally cured, it is possible to make your eyes more comfortable. If left untreated, in severe cases it can cause other eye complications, such as corneal ulcers

Sources used:

Express.co.uk: Bradley Walsh suffers from a 'seriously bad' condition that leads to 'crusty' eyelids

National Eye Institute: At a glance: blepharitis

NHS: Blepharitis