title: Comparative study of the efficacy of different treatment options in patients with chronic blepharitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of 3 treatment options in patients with chronic blepharitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 45 patients (female 67%; Mean age: 40.5 years) diagnosed with chronic blepharitis, in order to compare the effectiveness of three treatment options. Group 1: eyelid hygiene with neutral shampoo three times/day; group 2: neutral shampoo eyelid hygiene plus topical metronidazole gel 0.75% twice/day; group 3: neutral eyelid hygiene with shampoo plus neomycin 3.5% and polymyxin 10% antibiotic ointment with 0.5% dexamethasone 3 times/day. The symptoms and signs were assessed by assigning scores from 0: no symptoms and/or signs; 1: mild symptoms and/or signs, 2: moderate symptoms and/or signs; and 3: severe symptoms and/or signs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement was observed in the signs and symptoms in all 3 treatment groups. While groups 1 and 2 had more improvement in all variables studied (P<.05), Group 3 showed no clinical improvement for itching (P=.16), dry eye (P=.29), eyelashes falling (P=.16), and erythema at the eyelid margin (P=.29).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shampoo eyelid hygiene neutral and neutral shampoo combined with the use of metronidazole gel reported better hygiene results than neutral shampoo lid with antibiotic ointment and neomycin and polymyxin dexamethasone.
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrúa
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay. Electronic address: microbiologia@iics.una.py.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samudio
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fariña
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cibils
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laspina
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanabria
authors.affiliation: National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carpinelli
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Alemania.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mino de Kaspar
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005140:Eyelashes; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D008925:Mites; D009355:Neomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009824:Ointments; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005782:Gels; D006203:Hair Preparations; D009824:Ointments; D011113:Polymyxins; D008795:Metronidazole; D003907:Dexamethasone; D009355:Neomycin
keywords: Blefaritis crónica; Champúneutro; Chronic blepharitis; Demodex folliculorum; Eyelid hygiene; Gel de metronidazol; Higiene palpebral; Metronidazole gel; Neutral shampoo