Bradley Walsh health: People don’t realise – the stars uncomfortable hidden condition
The Chase: Bradley Walsh asks guest about his career
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Tonight on ITV the pair are seen in Poland, as they are treated to an exclusive performance by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and explore the sights of Krakow. Yet lovable TV presenter and all-round entertainer Bradley would not be able to see anything without medication as he suffers with a condition known as blepharitis, which causes his eyes to swell, becoming extremely red and itchy.
Revealing that he suffers with the condition during an appearance on This Morning, Bradley explained that “people don’t realise” how much the condition affects him.
“I have seriously bad blepharitis. I have to take one pill a day for it or I really struggle,” he said.
“I have to take one pill a day for it or I really struggle. I am going to need my eyes operated on at some point to sort it out.
“So many times, people have commented on how I look. But they don’t realise. If I take medication though, I’m fine.”
Voicing their concerns on Twitter, one unaware fan said: “I love Bradley Walsh, but he always looks like he’s been on the p*** all day with his red eyes #BeatTheChasers.”
The National Eye Institute (NEI) explains that the condition typically causes crusty and dandruff-like flakes on individuals’ eyelashes.
It continues to explain that the condition can be extremely “uncomfortable” but luckily does not cause any lasting damage to eyes.
Common symptoms of blepharitis are:
- Feeling like there’s something in your eye
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Red and swollen eyes or eyelids
- Tears that are foamy or have small bubbles in them
- Dry eyes
- Crusty eyelids or eyelashes when you wake up.
However, if left untreated, the condition can develop into more serious health problems such as blurry vision, eyelash loss and swelling in other parts of the eye such as the cornea.
In light of Bradley sharing his experience with the condition, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, Clinical Adviser at the College of Optometrists provided her top tips on how best to manage the condition.
She said: “Although blepharitis cannot be totally cured, it is possible to make your eyes more comfortable.” Here are some top tips:
- Use a warm compress to help unblock glands and loosen the crusts on the eyelid
- Clean your lid after to remove the crusts and debris. Your optometrist will be able to advise you on different cleaning options
- Use dry eye drops to help if your eyes feel gritty or dry
- If warm compresses and cleaning your eyelids don’t work, your optometrist or doctor may prescribe you antibiotic ointment or tablets
- Avoid smoky atmospheres and wearing eye makeup, particularly eyeliner and mascara.
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A post shared by Barney Walsh (@barneywalsh)
There are three different types of blepharitis. Dr Malcom McKellar explains the key differences between anterior, posterior and mixed blepharitis.
“Anterior blepharitis affects the front edge of the eyelid and eyelashes. This type of blepharitis is similar to dandruff; the eyelid margin becomes greasy and crusted, and bacterial infection is common.
“Posterior blepharitis, also known as meibomianitis, affects the back edge of the eyelid and the meibomian glands.
Posterior blepharitis is like acne. The meibomian gland secretions thicken and the glands become blocked and inflamed. Infection is rare.
“Mixed blepharitis is inflammation of the entire lid margin.”
Despite what Bradley said, surgery is not a typical treatment used to help with blepharitis. However, as Dr McKellar goes on to explain, some patients might also develop a condition known as chalazia, which can be treated with surgery.
Chalazia is a condition that develops as a result of posterior blepharitis. It is the total obstruction of the openings of the meibomian glands. As these glands are obstructed, the oily secretions cannot escape forming cysts in the lid called chalazia.
Surgery involves opening these swollen glands and removing the oily contents. It is a minor operation and can be done using local anaesthesia.
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