17-year-old Xiaochen (pseudonym) is a sophomore in high school. He usually has a heavy learning task and occasionally rubs his eyes. In the past six months, Xiaochen’s eyes have been repeatedly dry and itchy, foreign body sensation, and increased secretions have made him miserable.
The parents took Xiaochen to many hospitals for treatment, and repeated use of various antibiotics and artificial tears eye drops did not improve, which seriously affected his study and life. After many inquiries, he came to the outpatient clinic of Deputy Chief Physician Chen Yu in Zhijiang Branch of Zhejiang Eye Hospital.
Dr. Chen found that Xiaochen’s eyelid margin was congested, scaly and cuff-like secretions were attached to the root of the eyelashes. Eyelash pulling examination confirmed Demodex infestation.
A total of 12 eyelashes were extracted, 3 on each of the left and right eyelids, and 7 Demodex mites were detected in the right eye; 5 were detected by eye.
After seeing the shocking pictures, the parents demanded treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Chen performed OPT intense pulsed light therapy + tea tree essential oil wipes for the patient to repel mites, and told Xiaochen to pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid bad eye habits such as rubbing his eyes. After nearly 2 months of treatment, the patient’s symptoms improved significantly, and he finally returned to normal study and life.
It turned out to be “long mites” in the eyes
What is Demodex blepharitis? Chen Yu, deputy chief physician, introduced that Demodex blepharitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Demodex infection, mainly involving the skin of the eyelid margin, eyelash follicles, sebaceous glands, meibomian glands and their openings.
Why do I get Demodex blepharitis?
First of all, let’s get to know the “culprit”↓
Demodex follicles often live in eyelash follicles , and there are many gregarious phenomena. Demodex sebum mostly live in the sebaceous glands and meibomian glands of the eyelid skin, and generally live alone. At present, the cause of the disease is still unclear, and it may be related to individual constitution.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Most of both eyes are affected at the same time, showing red eyelid margin, eye itching, dry eye, eye burning sensation, foreign body sensation, photophobia and increased secretion; severe cases may be accompanied by repeated eyelashes shedding. even keratoconjunctivopathy.
Are Demodex mites contagious?
Yes! Mainly spread by contact. Poor sanitation and shared sanitary ware, etc., can infect human body through direct or indirect contact. According to clinical observation, in children with positive Demodex test, their parents or their close relatives have a higher proportion of positive detection of Demodex.
How to treat?
① Anti-mite drugs: Use metronidazole gel or tea tree oil products for topical anti-mite treatment.
② Combined dry eye or concurrent keratoconjunctivopathy: local use of anti-inflammatory or artificial tears as adjuvant therapy.
③ Local physical therapy: clean the eyelid margin, remove scales and scabs on the eyelid margin, and apply hot compress and massage to the eye area if necessary. Intense pulsed light as a new treatment method can kill Demodex mites to a certain extent.
④ Systemic treatment: patients with skin diseases need to be combined with dermatological treatment.
The course of treatment is generally 2-3 months to avoid recurrence. Avoid spicy and irritating diets during treatment, improve environmental hygiene, and do not share household items with others. Towels and other items are disinfected at high temperature to kill mites. It is recommended that people who are in close contact with the patient should also be checked for Demodex, and those who are positive are recommended to be treated with mites at the same time.
Source: Zhejiang Medical Online