Posters
Long-term success in Demodex blepharitis: cyclic treatments depending on Demodex life cycle
Poster Details
First Author: O.Evren Kemer TURKEY
Co Author(s): E. Karaca D. Ozek
Abstract Details
Purpose:
To investigate long term effect of cyclic treatments with terpinen-4-ol, a tea tree oil component, for chronic Demodex blepharitis.
Setting:
Universityof Health Sciences, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital
Methods:
Thirty patients with chronic Demodex blepharitis were included in the study. Demodex was determined in vivo via 40 X biomicroscope. Schirmer I test, tear break up time (TBUT), OSDI, lid margin score (LMS), meibomian gland expressibility score (MES), and Oxford grade (OxD) were performed. Patients applied warm compress followed by terpinen-4-ol soaked wipes to their eyelids twice a day for 2 weeks. Then, treatment was interrupted for 7-10 days to give time for Demodex eggs to hatch. The same treatment was repeated once more before new parasite lay eggs again. Patients were evaluated at third, sixth week and 12th month.
Results:
The mean age of the patients was 52.8 ± 15.8 (18-77) years. Sixteen patients were male and 14 were female. There was a statistically significant improvement in the Schirmer I test, OSDI, TBUT, LMS, MG expressibility scores after the first cycle of treatment. (p < 0.05). The improvement in the tear parameters of the patients after the second cure was significantly better than the pre-treatment levels, but not different than the first treatment. At 12 months follow-up , overall patient satisfaction was high. The patients symptoms had alleviated and symptoms did not relapse in 93 % of the patients.
Conclusions:
The administration of terpinen-4-ol containing eyelid cleanser to the lid margins as 2 cycles of treatment in demodex blepharitis is effective against adult and hatching demodex and breaks the vicious cycle. This 2 cycles of treatment has long term relieving effect in patients with demodex blepharitis.
Financial Disclosure:
None
