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Question:  My  9 year old son has  episodes of dandruff on his eye lashes and irritation. He was given  an ointment for his eye lids but the condition comes back.  Can this be cured permanently?
Answer:  Your son should of course be seen by an Optometrist to be certain of what is happening, but it sounds like Blepharitis. Dandruff of the lashes is often a part of a chronic condition called Blepharitis.  The cause in children is often an excessive oily build up on the lid margins that allows bacteria to grow more than usual.  The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the lids glands and can sting and irritate the eye. In most cases this is best treated  by lid hygiene. I usually tell my patients to mix Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo with water, half and half, and use it to clean the lids.  Apply it to the outside edge of the lid by the lashes with a warm wash cloth or Q-tip. Do this AM and PM to reduce lid oils. Within a week or two the condition is usually resolved.  In severe cases an antibiotic may be needed. The condition is chronic, which means it will not go away completely so lid scrubs are needed whenever a flare up begins.  Some patients need to do this regularly to control the condition. In no case should you diagnose this yourself,  first see an Optometrist.