title: Ocular surface discomfort and Demodex: effect of tea tree oil eyelid scrub in Demodex blepharitis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between ocular discomfort and ocular Demodex infestation, and therapeutic effects of tea tree oil (TTO) in Demodex blepharitis patients. Three hundred and thirty-five patients with ocular discomfort were evaluated for ocular Demodex infestation and subjective symptoms with ocular surface discomfort index (OSDI) score. Among them, Demodex-infested patients were randomized to receive either eyelid scrubbing with TTO (TTO group,106 patients) or without TTO (Control group, 54 patients) for 1 month. Demodex were found in 84% of patients with ocular discomfort. The number of Demodex was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.04) and OSDI score (P = 0.024). After eyelid scrub treatment, Demodex count was reduced from 4.0 ± 2.5 to 3.2 ± 2.3 in the TTO group (P = 0.004) and from 4.3 ± 2.7 to 4.2 ± 2.5 in the control group (P = 0.27). Also, OSDI score was reduced from 34.5 ± 10.7 to 24.1 ± 11.9 in the TTO group (P = 0.001) and from 35.3 ± 11.6 to 27.5 ± 12.8 in the control group (P = 0.04). In conclusion, Demodex number showed a significant positive correlation with age and subjective ocular discomfort. The tea tree oil eyelid scrub treatment is effective for eliminating ocular Demodex and improving subjective ocular symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Tae Hyung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoung Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: Yeoun Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Jae Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008925:Mites / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D020947:Tea Tree Oil