Demodecosis of the eye

Demodicosis of the eyes, or otherwise - ophthalmodemodicosis - refers to chronic diseases that are caused by thyroglyphoid mites.

In the case of demodicosis of the eyes, the culprit is a conditionally pathogenic mite of the genus Demodex from the family Demodecidae that parasitizes the human body.

Causes ocular demodectosis

The causes of demodicosis of the eyes are the activation of Demodex folliculorum mites living in the hair follicles of the eyelashes, as well as Demodex brevis mites, which lead a symbiotic lifestyle, settling in the sebaceous glands of the eyelid, in the glands of the cartilage of the eyelid (meibomian glands), and also in the sebaceous glands of Zeiss located near the hair follicles. All these glands produce a secretion consisting of proteins and fatty acids. In this environment, the demodicosis mite feels very comfortable: the temperature is most suitable for it (at +14-15 °C it freezes, and at +52 °C it immediately dies), there is enough moisture and there is something to eat - fat-containing substances and particles of cellular cytoplasm.

Almost the entire biological cycle of this obligate human parasite takes place in the cavity of the hair follicle, and under stable normal conditions for its existence, demodicosis of the eyes does not develop. But when these conditions change and do not suit the mites, then the so-called asymptomatic carriage by doctors develops into a disease with characteristic clinical signs.

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Risk factors

Experts attribute the following factors to the triggers of eye demodicosis:

• increase in air temperature and warming by sun rays during sunbathing in the spring and summer;
• too high temperature in residential or industrial premises;
• abuse of hot water procedures;
• general decrease in the body's defenses;
• changes in the body in endocrine, hormonal, vascular, gastrointestinal diseases, pathological processes in the liver, etc.;
• increased acidity of the skin;
• the presence of refractive errors of the eyes (myopia or hyperopia) that cannot be corrected with the help of optics.

It has also been established that the occurrence of demodicosis of the eyes is facilitated by the presence of local foci of infection, which have a toxic-allergic effect on the entire body.

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Symptoms ocular demodectosis

The key symptoms of demodicosis of the eyes - demodicosis blepharitis and demodicosis blepharoconjunctivitis usually manifest as:

• increased eye fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the eyelids;
• burning and itching of the edge of the eyelid near the eyelashes;
• a burning sensation in the eyes, similar to that which occurs when small specks of dirt get into the eyes;
• thick mucous, sticky to the touch discharge from the cavities of the conjunctiva, accumulating in the outer and inner corners of the eyes;
• the formation of keratin scales and crusts between the eyelashes and at their roots, causing the eyelashes to stick together;

• dilation of capillaries in the skin of the eyelids and redness of the conjunctiva;
• the appearance of small pustules on the eyelids between the eyelashes;
• dry eye syndrome and decreased corneal sensitivity (due to a decrease in the thickness of the tear film on the surface of the cornea due to damage to the meibomian glands).

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Diagnostics ocular demodectosis

Diagnosis of demodicosis of the eyes is carried out by an ophthalmologist based on the patient's complaints, examination of the eyes and laboratory detection of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis mites on the eyelashes.

To do this, four eyelashes are removed from each eyelid, then they are placed between two glass slides in a special solution and examined under a microscope.

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Treatment ocular demodectosis

According to experts, treatment of demodicosis of the eyes takes into account the life cycle of demodex mites and continues for 1.5 months.

How to treat demodicosis of the eyes? Firstly, it is recommended to wash your face with tar soap (birch tar is an antiseptic and insecticide) and regularly massage your eyelids, which helps remove the contents accumulating in the glands. Secondly, to reduce the mobility of parasites, the edges of the eyelids are treated twice a day with alcohol, alcohol tincture of calendula officinalis or eucalyptus.

Drops for demodicosis of the eyes are also used - 3% eye drops Karbohol. But they are not instilled into the eyes, but 2-3 times a week, the edges of the eyelids are lubricated: from this, the ciliary part of the orbicularis oculi muscle contracts and at the same time the contents of the glands come out along with the mites. For the same purpose - to treat the edge of the eyelids - 0.25% eye drops Physostigmine or 0.02% drops Fosfacol are used.

Also used in the treatment of demodicosis of the eyes is the bactericidal gel Demolon, which contains metronidazole, silver citrate, sulfur and extracts of burdock and mulberry. The gel is applied to the edges of the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes (carefully, so as not to get into the eyes); the procedure is carried out twice a day - in the morning and at night. The duration of treatment is 1.5 months.

There is a Stopdemodex eye gel (containing metronidazole, chamomile extract and hyaluronic acid), which after preliminary treatment of the skin and edges of the eyelids with an alcohol tincture of calendula is applied to the eyelids - closer to the roots of the eyelashes - for half an hour; then the remains of the product are removed with a damp cloth. It is necessary to use the drug for 1.5 months - every morning and evening.

The remedy against demodicosis of the eyes Blefarogel 2 contains hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, sulfur and glycerin. It is convenient to apply it to the eyelash growth area with a cotton swab, then apply a little of the preparation to the fingertips and massage the eyelids for a couple of minutes. The procedure is carried out daily (morning and evening).

Antibacterial drops may be needed for demodicosis of the eyes - when inflammation caused by infection develops. Ophthalmologists most often prescribe Levomycetin, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Tobrazone (Tobrex) or Dexa-gentamicin.

Treatment of demodicosis of the eyes with folk remedies

The proposed treatment of demodicosis of the eyes with folk remedies primarily uses medicinal plants: chamomile flowers, calendula, linden, tansy, as well as oak bark and aloe juice.

Warm infusions (a tablespoon of dried chamomile, calendula, tansy or linden flowers or crushed oak bark per glass of boiling water) are used to wash the eyes and apply compresses to the affected eyelids.

And aloe juice (from the pharmacy or squeezed from a fresh aloe leaf) is mixed with an equal amount of boiled water and applied as a daily eye compress, which is kept for at least a quarter of an hour.

Prevention

Demodecosis of the eyes is contagious, so maintaining personal hygiene is point number 1 in the prevention of demodicosis of the eyes.

This means that it is better to wipe your face during the treatment of this disease not with a towel, but with disposable paper napkins. The pillowcase on the pillow should be changed daily or removed and calcined with a hot iron. All personal items should be subjected to sanitary treatment with alcohol, ether, an alcohol solution of salicylic acid or boiling water. It is also necessary to get rid of mascara, eye shadow and skin care products in the eye area that you used before the diagnosis of demodicosis of the eyes.

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Forecast

Doctors are not particularly optimistic about the prognosis of this disease, since its remission lasts a maximum of 12 months, and relapses occur in every tenth case. In addition, the population of mites that cause demodicosis of the eyes has firmly established itself in the human body and lives in more than half of adults, but does not manifest itself in everyone.