Current state and future perspectives in the diagnosis of eyelid margin disease: clinical review

Abstract

The eyelid margin is vital to ocular surface integrity. Much peer-reviewed literature has been established in eyelid margin inflammation, better known as blepharitis. The purpose was to review and understand the impact of eyelid margin disease. Anterior blepharitis causes inflammation at the eyelash base, ciliary follicles, and the palpebral skin. Posterior blepharitis occurs when there is inflammation with the posterior eyelid margin disease. In common usage, the term "blepharitis" used alone almost always refers to anterior blepharitis. Classification of eyelid margin disease should be based on etiopathogenesis, location, primary vs secondary, and chronicity. Blepharitis has several etiopathologies (infectious, inflammatory, and squamous). Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can refer to the functional and/or structural problems with the meibomian gland. Meibomitis (or meibomianitis) occurs when there is inflammation associated with the MGD. The presence of blepharitis and/or MGD (with or without inflammation) can affect the ocular surface and thereby affect anterior segment and cataract surgeries. This review article evaluates the differential diagnoses of eyelid margin disease, including various forms of blepharitis, MGD, and meibomitis.