title: Demodex treatment in external ocular disease: the outcomes of a Tasmanian case series.
abstract: Demodex species (spp.) have previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of blepharitis. This study aims to correlate improvement in symptoms of external ocular disease with treatment of underlying Demodex spp. This is a prospective, observational case series of patients with chronic external ocular disease. Demodicosis was confirmed by microscopic examination of epilated eyelashes. The main outcome measure was response to the treatment (5 % tee tree oil) in regard to change in subjective symptoms utilising a symptom-based patient questionnaire assessment. Overall patients had a good response to the treatment in terms of improvement or resolution of symptoms, with 91 % of patients reporting at least some improvement in symptoms. The treatment of underlying Demodex spp. appears to result in improvement of symptoms in patients with long standing external ocular disease and underlying Demodex spp. infestation.
authors: Tasmanian Eye Clinics, Glenorchy, Australia.|Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Australia.
authors: Stephen G
authors: SG
authors: Nicholls
authors: Tasmanian Eye Institute, 36 Thistle St West, South Launceston, TAS, 7249, Australia. carmenoakley@hotmail.com.|Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. carmenoakley@hotmail.com.
authors: Carmen L
authors: CL
authors: Oakley
authors: Tasmanian Eye Institute, 36 Thistle St West, South Launceston, TAS, 7249, Australia.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Tan
authors: Tasmanian Eye Institute, 36 Thistle St West, South Launceston, TAS, 7249, Australia.
authors: Brendan J
authors: BJ
authors: Vote
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000469:parasitology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008925:Mites; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D020947:Tea Tree Oil
keywords: Blepharitis; Demodex spp; Dry eye disease; External ocular disease; Tea tree oil