[Demodex blepharitis about two cases]

ABSTRACT

Demodex is a mite commonly found in eyelash hair follicles and sebaceous glands of healthy people. This mite has been reported in many chronic cases of blepharitis. Two cases of very long term observation and clinical findings of chronic blepharitis caused by demodex folliculorum are presented. A 60 year old woman suffered from recurrent blepharoconjunctivitis during ten years treated locally with antibiotics and steroids. We carried out microbiological test results from the epilated eyelashes. The second case was a 25 year old man who was treated for over five years for blepharitis and repetitive chalazions treated by topically steroids and antibiotics. A significant thickening of the blood vessels in the eyelid and numerous cylindrical cuffs of dry discharge around the base of the eyelashes persuaded us to carry out microbiological tests result from the epilated eyelashes. Demodex folliculorum considered as saprophytic mite may play a pathogenic role in ocular diseases