title: Ocular demodicidosis as a risk factor of adult recurrent chalazion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report Demodex infestation in adult recurrent chalazion and its clinical response to weekly lid scrub with 50% tea tree oil (TTO) and daily lid scrub with tea tree shampoo.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of 30 adult patients (48 eyes) who presented with recurrent chalazion within 6 months after conventional treatment. Demodex was detected by random lash sampling and microscopic examination. Patients with confirmed ocular Demodex infestation were treated with weekly lid scrub with 50% TTO and daily lid scrub with tea tree shampoo. The study is limited by the lack of a control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 39.1 ± 10.2 years (range 18-69). The mean follow-up of patients is 10.0 ± 3.0 months (range 6-24 months). Among 48 eyes with recurrent chalazion, Demodex mites were found in 35 (72.9%). Recurrent chalazion was found to be associated with ocular demodicidosis (Fisher exact test, p = 0.017). Tea tree oil treatment was given to 31 eyes with recurrent chalazion associated with Demodex infestation. Among the treatment group, all cases except one had no recurrence after the TTO treatment. The success rate of preventing recurrence is 96.8%. Treatment of TTO was found to be associated with preventing recurrence of chalazion associated with Demodex infestation (Fisher exact test, p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possibility of demodicidosis should be considered in adults presenting with recurrent chalazia. Tea tree oil eyelid scrubs is an effective treatment in preventing recurrence.
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong - People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jason C S
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: Bone S F
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Tsz-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Arthur C K
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017043:Chalazion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008925:Mites; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D020947:Tea Tree Oil