Ivermectin 1% Cream For The Treatment Of Demodexblepharitis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ivermectin 1% cream for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

Department of ophthalmology, Barzilai medical center, ashkelon, Israel.

Patients with confirmed Demodex blepharitis were prospectively recruited and treated with Ivermectin 1% cream for 2 months. Blepharitis symptoms, ocular examination findings, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and ex vivo eyelash Demodex counts were regularly assessed

22 patients were recruited, 6 were lost to follow-up and 16 entered the analysis. Mean patient age was 62.97±13.24 years, and 9(56%) were women. Mean Demodex counts improved after treatment from 1.63±0.08 to 0.07±0.03 parasites per eyelash (P <0.05); the OSDI score improved from 48.86±25.37 to 24.82±19.74 P< 0.05; and the overall blepharitis symptoms score improved from 38.17±21.73 to 18.81±16.02. (P < 0.05).
Significant improvement in disease symptoms (scored on a scale between 0 and 4) was noted including itching (2.31±1.32 to –1.00±1.07, P = 0.008), burning (2.19±1.52 to 0.75±1.04, P = 0.006), red eyes (2.06±1.28 to 1.06±1.2, P= 0.029) and dandruff-like debris (1.88±1.66 to –0.5±0.83, P = 0.014).
No adverse events were reported.

Treatment of Demodex blepharitis with Ivermectin 1% cream resulted in a decrease in parasite burden and improvement
in blepharitis signs and symptoms, with no reported adverse events. Ivermectin 1% might be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of blepharitis associated with Demodex infection.