Bitton Etty, Ifrah Reut, Gantz Liat
École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College, Jerusalem, Israel.
Clin Exp Optom. 2025 Jun 26:1-8. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2025.2517754.
The multifactorial aspect of dry eye disease remains challenging. Demodex folliculorum, a common ectoparasite on human eyelashes, may impact eye conditions such as blepharitis which can be a contributor to dry eye disease. Exploring risk factors for Demodex helps to raise awareness for early detection potentially improving ocular health.
found on eyelashes can cause blepharitis. Its gelatinous debris at the base of the lashes, termed cylindrical dandruff is often associated with ocular itching. This study examined the prevalence of in a University population and assessed its relationship to symptoms of dry eye and itching.
Visual acuity, dry eye questionnaire (OSDI), non-invasive break up time (NIBUT), meibography, and slit-lamp examination were measured. When cylindrical dandruff was observed, lateral tension was exerted on two eyelashes to identify tails. Mann-Whitney tests were applied for comparisons, logistic regressions were applied to determine relationships, and chi-square, Fisher's exact test and Spearman correlation tests determined associations.
Of the 101 participants (mean age: 28 ± 12, range: 19-68 years, 90 females), 20% had dry eye (OSDI score ≥ 13 and NIBUT < 10 sec). Demodex tails/lash were significantly more prevalent in the upper (44%) compared with the lower eyelids (19%). Anterior blepharitis and cylindrical dandruff were significantly correlated with Demodex. Ocular itching (prevalence: 39%) was significantly associated with presence of Demodex only for the upper eyelids ( = 0.02). UODS was positively correlated ( < 0.001) with Demodex, cylindrical dandruff and anterior blepharitis.
There was a relatively high prevalence of Demodex among a university population. The prevalence of Demodex was not significantly different in those diagnosed with dry eye. Cylindrical dandruff and anterior blepharitis were significantly associated with the presence of Demodex, while itching was associated with presence of Demodex only for the upper eyelids. The UODS can be a valuable tool to add in future Demodex studies.
干眼症的多因素特性仍然具有挑战性。蠕形螨是人类睫毛上常见的一种外寄生虫，可能会影响睑缘炎等眼部状况，而睑缘炎可能是干眼症的一个成因。探索蠕形螨的风险因素有助于提高对早期检测的认识，从而可能改善眼部健康。
在睫毛上发现的[蠕形螨]可导致睑缘炎。其在睫毛根部的凝胶状碎屑，即所谓的圆柱状皮屑，常与眼部瘙痒有关。本研究调查了某大学人群中[蠕形螨]的患病率，并评估了其与干眼和瘙痒症状的关系。
测量视力、干眼问卷（眼表疾病指数，OSDI）、非侵入性泪膜破裂时间（NIBUT）、睑板腺照相和裂隙灯检查。当观察到圆柱状皮屑时，对两根睫毛施加侧向张力以识别[蠕形螨]的尾部。采用曼-惠特尼检验进行比较，应用逻辑回归确定关系，采用卡方检验、费舍尔精确检验和斯皮尔曼相关性检验确定关联。
在101名参与者（平均年龄：28±12岁，范围：19 - 68岁，90名女性）中，20%患有干眼症（OSDI评分≥13且NIBUT<10秒）。蠕形螨尾部/睫毛在上眼睑（44%）中的患病率显著高于下眼睑（19%）。前部睑缘炎和圆柱状皮屑与蠕形螨显著相关。眼部瘙痒（患病率：39%）仅在上眼睑与蠕形螨的存在显著相关（P = 0.02）。眼表疾病严重程度（UODS）与蠕形螨、圆柱状皮屑和前部睑缘炎呈正相关（P<0.001）。
某大学人群中蠕形螨的患病率相对较高。在被诊断为干眼症的人群中，蠕形螨的患病率没有显著差异。圆柱状皮屑和前部睑缘炎与蠕形螨的存在显著相关，而瘙痒仅在上眼睑与蠕形螨的存在相关。眼表疾病严重程度在未来的蠕形螨研究中可能是一个有价值的工具。 （注：原文中部分关键蠕形螨相关词汇未完整给出，翻译时用[蠕形螨]表示）
