Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the association between the density of Demodex colonization, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) severity, and ocular symptoms in an Afro-Caribbean population.
Methods :
The research study is a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional observational study. All enrolled participants will be analyzed in the following sequence: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination, fluorescein tear film break-up time (F-BUT), and Demodex folliculorum count. Grading of the severity of MGD will be performed by a board-certified cornea specialist who will be blinded to the counting of Demodex specimens and OSDI score. Exclusion criteria include patients less than 18 years of age, active keratitis, intraocular surgery within three months, history of a pterygium, Sjogren syndrome, and uncontrolled autoimmune diseases. Demographics, ocular conditions, and comorbid medical conditions were collected and compared to patients without Demodex. Association with OSDI raw score and mite count will be calculated with Spearman correlation with the construction of 95% confidence interval.
Results :
Twenty-eight patients ranging from 65 +/- 12 (mean +/- standard deviation) years of age met the criteria for inclusion. A total of 35.7% of patients were positive for Demodex colonization. The average count of Demodex was 1.37 +/- 1.00. No association with gender, age, OSDI score, or MGD severity was seen with Demodex colonization. Comorbid medical conditions such as DM and HTN were similar between patients with and without Demodex. Collarettes and scurf findings on clinical exam were associated with higher rates of Demodex, p<.05.
Conclusions :
Demodex is relatively common in the Afro-Caribbean Population with higher rates among patients with collarettes and scurf. However, no association with worsening MGD or OSDI was linked to Demodex colonization.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.