Demodex common in an older patient with dry eye

Demodex is common in an older patient with dry eye, with itching and cylindrical dandruff (CD) the most common symptoms, according to a study.

In this cross-sectional study, 119 patients with symptoms of dry eye were included. Patients were grouped according to the presence of ocular demodicosis.

A total of 68.9% of patients had Demodex. Demographics and symptom profiles were comparable between those with and without Demodex.

Patients with Demodex were more likely to report itching, which increased in frequency in patients with higher Demodex counts. Severe eyelid abnormalities, such as CD and lid vascularity, and a more unstable tear film were noted in patients with Demodex. Tear production and corneal staining were similar between the groups.

Demodex and ocular surface findings did not relate to dry eye symptoms in multivariable analyses.

Reference
Cheng AM, Hwang J, Dermer H, Galor A. Prevalence of ocular demodicosis in an older population and its association with symptoms and signs of dry eye. Cornea. 2020 doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002542. Epub ahead of print.