What is the treatment for blepharitis?

• A. Oral steroids only.
• B. Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and topical antibiotics.
• C. Intravitreal injections.
• D. Immediate surgical drainage.

Answer: (B)

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margin often driven by bacterial colonization and Meibomian gland dysfunction. The key to treatment is lid hygiene to clean the margin and reduce bacteria, paired with topical therapy. Warm compresses soften crusts and help gland drainage, making lid scrubs easier and more effective at removing debris. Following that, topical antibiotics directly reduce surface bacterial load on the lid margins, addressing infection without systemic effects. This approach targets the underlying issues of blepharitis and is the standard first-line management.

Other options don’t fit this condition: systemic steroids would expose the patient to unnecessary systemic risks for a primarily localized eyelid problem, intravitreal injections are used for intraocular diseases, and immediate surgical drainage is reserved for eyelid abscesses or chalazia, not uncomplicated blepharitis.