PILOCARPINE GEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEMODICOSIS - A CASE SERIES

Citation
Gw. Fulk et al., PILOCARPINE GEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEMODICOSIS - A CASE SERIES, Optometry and vision science, 73(12), 1996, pp. 742-745
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Ophthalmology
ISSN journal
10405488
Volume
73
Issue
12
Year of publication
1996
Pages
742 - 745
Database
ISI
SICI code
1040-5488(1996)73:12<742:PGFTTO>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
Background. Excessive numbers of the mite, Demodex folliculorum, in th e eyelash follicles cause itching and is referred to as demodicosis. W e evaluated 4% pilocarpine gel as a treatment for this condition. Meth ods. An advertisement was placed in a retirement home newsletter, requ esting persons with ocular discomfort. Respondents were examined for D emodex and persons with abundant mites were invited to participate. On e eye was treated with pilocarpine gel; the other eye was untreated. T he relative abundance of mites was evaluated at baseline, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment. Subjects kept a daily log of symptoms. Results. Eleven of 22 persons with ocular itching had abundant Demodex. Mites w ere reduced significantly by the treatment (p = 0.017). The amount of mite reduction was closely correlated with the extent to which itching was alleviated (r = 0.811, p = 0.008). Conclusion. Abundant Demodex i s an important cause of ocular itching in older persons. Mites can be reduced with pilocarpine gel and itching alleviated.