If you are not sure whether your symptoms fit blepharitis, start here. This hub pulls together the most useful symptom and diagnosis guides so you can compare patterns and decide what to read next.
Common blepharitis symptoms
- Gritty, burning, or tired eyes.
- Crusting or flakes at the lash base on waking.
- Red or thickened lid margins.
- Symptoms that fluctuate with screen use or wind.
Patterns that point to blepharitis
Blepharitis often starts at the lid margin, where the lashes grow. Many people notice morning crusting, irritation that improves after cleaning, and recurrent styes or chalazia.
When it might be something else
- Dry eye disease: Symptoms can overlap, especially with MGD. See Blepharitis vs Dry Eye to compare the two.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Discharge and contagiousness are more typical. See Blepharitis vs Pink Eye.
Start with these guides
- Do I have blepharitis? Symptom checker
- Blepharitis types and subtypes
- Why are my eyelids itchy?
- Related conditions and complications
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent assessment if you have severe pain, sudden vision changes, significant light sensitivity, or recent eye trauma.
Next steps
Once you recognise the pattern, move to daily management and treatment options: