| | Comments |
| Inflammatory skin conditions |
| Rosacea | - More commonly causes posterior blepharitis
- May be associated with facial redness or flushing
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| Seborrheic dermatitis | - More commonly causes anterior blepharitis
- Characterized by flaking and greasy scales at base of eyelids
- May be associated with scalp dandruff and other manifestations
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| Atopic dermatitis (eczema) | - Characterized by edema, hyperemia, and scaling of lash line of lid margins
- May be associated with other manifestations (eg, chronic pruritic erythematous rash involving skin creases)
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| Psoriasis | - Characterized by flaking or crusting of the eyelashes and swollen eyelids
- May be associated with other manifestations (eg, well-defined erythematous plaques with scale involving elbows and knees)
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| Infections |
| Bacterial "over-colonization" | - Most commonly causes anterior blepharitis
- Characterized by fibrinous scales and crust around the eyelashes
- Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are the most common organisms
- Other lid-colonizing bacteria (eg, Corynebacterium species, Cutibacterium acnes) may play a role
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| Parasitic infestation (Demodex species) | - Inhabit eyelid follicles (Demodex folliculorum) and meibomian glands (Demodex brevis)
- Characterized by follicular pustules or papules
- Scales may form "collarettes" (cylindrical dandruff around the lash base)
- Not all patients with Demodex infestation develop blepharitis
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| Irritants and allergens (contact blepharitis) |
| Cosmetics, cigarette smoke, contact lenses/contact lens solution | - Characterized by erythematous, swollen, and itchy eyelids
- Reaction to local irritant
- Improves with removal/avoidance of offending agent
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| Medications |
| Retinoids (eg, isotretinoin), chemotherapeutic agents (eg, 5-fluorouracil) | - Typically causes posterior blepharitis (meibomian gland dysfunction)
- Commonly associated with dry eye
- Generally resolves after discontinuing medication
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