What is the Difference Between Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis

The key difference between blepharitis and conjunctivitis is that blepharitis is an inflammation caused in the eyelids, while conjunctivitis is an inflammation caused in the conjunctiva in the eye.

Inflammations in the eye are common conditions caused due to microbial infections. These eye infections cause redness in the eyes, pain, and blurry vision. Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are two common conditions of eye infections. Eye infections can be minor inflammations that heal on their own or with medications, and some serious infections may cause permanent vision loss. Inflammations in the eyes can also be easily prevented when proper hygiene and health guidelines are followed.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Blepharitis  
3. What is Conjunctivitis
4. Similarities – Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis
5. Blepharitis vs Conjunctivitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Blepharitis vs Conjunctivitis

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an inflammation in the eyelids. It affects both eyes and the edges of the eyelids. It is a chronic disease condition that is difficult to treat immediately. Therefore, it makes the eyes slightly uncomfortable and disturbs the eyesight. But this condition does not damage the eyes permanently. Blepharitis usually takes place when oil glands at the base of the eyelids get clogged. As a result, redness and irritation in the eyes happen. Blepharitis is usually caused due to the presence of dandruff on the scalp or eyebrows, malfunctioning oil glands in the eyelids, eye or skin infections, facial redness condition called rosacea, several allergies, lice or mites, and dry eyes.

Most symptoms of blepharitis are seen in the morning and include red eye, watery eyes, greasy, itchy, and swollen eyelids, crusted eyelashes, burning sensation in the eyes, frequent blinking, sensitivity to lights, and flaking of the skin around the eye area. Blepharitis is treated with eye drops, creams, and ointments containing antibiotics or oral antibiotics. However, good hygiene can also prevent this condition. If not treated properly, complications such as problems in eyelashes, skin problems around the eye area, excess tearing, dry eyes, chronic pink eye or conjunctivitis, chalazion, and corneal injury may arise.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation in the transparent membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white area of the eyeball. It is also known as an infection in the conjunctiva. It is caused due to the inflammation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva. This makes the eyes red or pink. This condition is also called pink eye. This is usually caused due to a bacterial or viral infection, incompletely formed or blocked tear duct in newborns, irritation of eyes due to chemical splash, foreign particle, or an allergic reaction. Conjunctivitis rarely affects the vision; however, it irritates the eye. This condition is contagious. Therefore, proper treatment should be carried out immediately after diagnosis.

The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis are redness in the eyes, itchiness, gritty feeling in the eyes, tearing, and a sticky discharge from the eyes during nighttime. Serious symptoms such as eye pain, foreign body sensation in the eyes, blurry vision, and light sensitivity also take place. If not treated well, a complication such as inflammation in the cornea will affect the vision. Therefore, conjunctivitis is prevented by the practice of good hygiene. Conjunctivitis is treated through eyedrops, ointments, or creams, which contain antibiotics or oral antibiotics.

What are the Similarities Between Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis?

• Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are associated with the eyes.
• They are caused due to bacterial infections.
• Both have common symptoms such as redness in the eyes, swollen and itchy eyes, and dry eyes.
• Both are treated using antibiotics.
• Moreover, if not treated well, both can affect eyesight.

What is the Difference Between Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis?

Blepharitis is a condition where eyelids are inflamed. Conjunctivitis is a condition where irritation and inflammation take place in the conjunctiva. Thus, this is the key difference between blepharitis and conjunctivitis. Moreover, blepharitis is caused by bacteria, while conjunctivitis is caused due to the presence of both bacteria and viruses. Also, while blepharitis takes place in the oil glands, conjunctivitis takes place in the blood vessels of the conjunctiva.

The below infographic presents the differences between blepharitis and conjunctivitis in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Blepharitis vs Conjunctivitis

Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are two common chronic conditions of eye infections. Blepharitis is an inflammation in the eyelids, and it affects both eyes and the edges of the eyelids. It usually takes place when the oil glands at the base of the eyelids get clogged. As a result, redness and irritation in the eyes take place. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation in the transparent membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white area of the eyeball, conjunctiva. It is usually caused due to the inflammation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva. So, this summarizes the difference between blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

Reference:

1. “Blepharitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Anterior Blepharitis” By Imrankabirhossain – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “ConjunctivitisRedEye” By red0_0eye – red_eye (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia