Pilocarpine gel for the treatment of demodicosis--a case series.
BACKGROUND
Excessive numbers of the mite, Demodax folliculorum, in the eyelash follicies cause itching and is referred to as demodicosis. We evaluated 4% pilocarpine gel as a treatment for this condition.


METHODS
An advertisement was placed in a retirement home newsletter, requesting persons with ocular discomfort. Respondents were examined for Demodex and persons with abundant mites were invited to participate. One eye was treated with pilocarpine gel; the other eye was untreated. The relative abundance of mites was evaluated at baseline, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment. Subjects kept a daily log of symptoms.


RESULTS
Eleven of 22 persons with ocular itching had abundant Demodax. Mites were reduced significantly by the treatment (p = 0.017). The amount of mite reduction was closely correlated with the extent to which itching was alleviated (r = 0.811, p = 0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
Abundant Demodex is an important cause of ocular itching in older persons. Mites can be reduced with pilocarpine gel and itching alleviated.
Fulk
G W
GW
College of Optometry, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA.
Murphy
B
B
Robins
M D
MD
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008925:Mites; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005782:Gels; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010862:Pilocarpine