In 2021, I was invited to serve as a member of the Public Awareness Committee for the TFOS Lifestyle Workshop. This is a global initiative where doctors, scientists, and researchers come together to gather information and make recommendations. The purpose of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s newest workshop was to produce evidence-based education about the lifestyle choices patients are making which cause ocular surface disease.  

The purpose of these TFOS workshops is to gather the known evidence-based research and compile it. This helps to gather a consensus from research to help guide treatment protocols. It also answers questions about disease progression and uncovers areas that have not yet been fully researched. In fact, each subcommittee report has a section to suggest whe...

Have you ever suspected that you had Demodex mites in your eyelashes?

If you suspect that you have them you may feel an itchiness at the base of your lashes.  Your eyes may also be red, especially around the rim of your lids.  Sometimes, the lids can be irritated and crusty.

How Do You Treat Demodex Blepharitis?

If you suspect that you have a Demodex infection, see your eye doctor. Now's the time and don't put it off another day.  The best way to resolve this type of infection is with an in-office treatment for Demodex blepharitis.

In my office, I offer two different treatments. The first is Zocukit.  I use this as an initial treatment and for more advanced cases.  Zocukit involves using a very high strength version of Zocular gel on the lids and lashes.  I scrub the gel on the lashes...

A few weeks ago, we talked about Demodex mites in the eyelashes and how I don't recommend the use of tea tree oil anymore to remove those Demodex mites. There is a new study out of Harvard Medical School indicating that Tea Tree oil is toxic to the cells of the meibomian glands. You can read the original article here.

Demodex mites normally live on human eyelids and lashes. These are microscopic and you can't see them with the naked eye. Below is a super magnified image of the Demodex mite. They have little mouths and they bury themselves inside of the lash follicle. Their little tails hang out at the top of the follicle. If you know you have an overgrowth of Demodex mites you will need an in office treatment or use a daily cleanser to get rid of them.

How do you know if you have a Dem...

Demodex mites.  This is a tricky topic to bring up with my patients.  The truth of the matter is that with age, we all have some Demodex mites living on our eyelashes.  For some reason (science still isn't sure why) these mites are normal to have on our lashes.

Yet, this topic always gives my patients the heebie-geebies.  I want to reassure you all that having them on your lids doesn't mean you are an unclean person.

And, going overboard trying to rid them from your eyes can cause more problems than just the irritation of having them.  So, slow down.  Don't freak out.  Let's discuss these Demodex mites....

What are Demodex Mites?

Demodex is a small mite that buries itself into the follicles of the eyelashes and eyebrows.  This mite is in the same family as the mite that causes man...