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Blepharitis F022

Document
Last amended 
16 June 2022
Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP 29 of 2019
Balance of Probabilities SOP
30 of 2019
Changes from previous Instruments

SOP Bulletin 207

ICD Coding
  • ICD-9-CM Code: 373.0
  • CD-10-AM Code: H01.0
Brief description

Blepharitis means inflammation of the eyelid margins (where the eyelashes insert). It is commonly a chronic condition and is associated with eye irritation.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on clincial grounds and can be made by a treating GP.

The relevant medical specialist is an ophthalmologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Acute blepharitis
  • Chronic blepharitis
  • Chalazion (Meibomian cyst) 
  • Hordeolum (stye)
  • Meibomianitis 
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Conjunctivitis*
  • Dacroadenitis#
  • Dacrocystitis#
  • Orbital cellulitis#
  • Periorbital cellulitis#

* another SOP applies

# non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

The time of clinical onset will be based on the history in the individual subject.  The condition is generally chronic, but there can be acute episodes and recurrent episodes.  An acute episode may be due to an irritant, for example, and may fully resolve.  In such a case, later episodes or the development of chronic symptoms (after a symptom free interval) may represent a new clinical onset.

Clinical worsening

Clinical worsening may be evidenced by an increase in chronic symptoms or in the extent of chronic inflammation evident on examination.