Author Reply
December 2011
in “
Ophthalmology
”
TLDR Demodex may be linked to blepharitis, and treatments like tea tree oil and ivermectin can help.
The authors acknowledged the comments by Raju et al. regarding their paper on blepharitis and agreed that Demodex, a common human parasite, could be associated with the condition. They noted that Demodex inhabits various parts of the body, including the eyelids, and has been linked to chronic blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and ocular surface inflammation. Despite its debated pathogenic role, treatments like tea tree oil scrubs and oral ivermectin have shown effectiveness against Demodex. The authors clarified that their study did not include data on Demodex infestation but recognized its potential role in blepharitis.