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Investigate Demodex in blepharitis with itching, short TBUT
The presence of Demodex must be investigated in blepharitis patients with severe itching and a shorter than normal fluorescein tear breakup time, according to researchers.
Researchers evaluated 67 patients with chronic mixed blepharitis and 51 control patients.
A total of four eyelashes were removed and examined under a light microscope for Demodex infestation; symptoms, fluorescein TBUT and ocular surface staining pattern were recorded.
The prevalence of Demodex infection in the blepharitis group was 67.2% versus 54.9% in the control group.
Itching was significantly higher in those with Demodex in the blepharitis group than in blepharitis patients without Demodex.
Fluorescein TBUT in the Demodex-positive patients was significantly shorter than in the Demodex-negative patients.
Researchers found no significant difference in fluorescein staining pattern between the two groups.
The incidence of advanced-stage blepharitis was significantly higher among the Demodex-positive patients as was cylindrical eyelash dandruff. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.