PILOCARPINE GEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEMODICOSIS - A CASE SERIES

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.