Ocular demodecosis: comparison of treatment outcomes using petroleum jelly application vs oral ivermectin

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Cornea: Medical

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : S.Handa INDIA

Co Author(s): :    A. Gupta   A. Thakur   S. Khurana   S. Dogra   J. Ram           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To study the Demographics, Clinical spectrum and to compare the efficacy of topical Petroleum Jelly with oral Ivermectin in patients of ocular Demodecosis.

Setting:

This study was carried out onpatients presenting to the Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Methods:

This prospective, randomised, interventional study included 62 eyes (31 patients) with clinical diagnosis of blepharitis associated with the presence of demodex mite which was confirmed by microscopic examination of the cilia. Two treatment groups were formed: Group A (daily localPetroleum Jelly application),and Group B (oral Ivermectin given12 mg stat and repeated once after 2 weeks). In addition, all patients were asked to perform hot fomentation daily. The treatment outcomes were studied at 2 months by comparing the effect of the intervention on symptoms (Modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score), Ocular surface parameters as well as Demodex mite count.

Results:

There was a statistically significant improvement in symptoms in both the groups (mean Modified OSDI score: 30.34 at presentation versus 8.79 at 2 months). Overall, gritty sensation (74.2%), itching (70.9%) and burning sensation (54.8%) were the most common symptoms. Conjunctival congestion (56.25%) and cylindrical dandruff (37.5%) were the most common signs. There was a statistically significant improvement in ocular surface parameters (TBUT and fluorescein staining) in both groups at 2 months. Mean Demodex count showed a statistically significant reduction in both the groups. However, the difference of all the parameters studied between two groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Demodexblepharitis can be effectively treated using topical Petroleum Jelly eyelid application as well as oral Ivermectin.We found both interventions to be equally efficacious and safe. However, in the authors’ opinion, oral Ivermectin therapy may be preferred in patients with poor compliance, besides being convenient and easy treatment option compared to a daily application of Petroleum Jelly over several weeks.

Financial Disclosure:

None