Opinion
Video
Differential Diagnosis: Key Features of Demodex Blepharitis
Factors that differentiate Demodex blepharitis apart from other lid margin and ocular surface diseases with overlapping signs and symptoms are examined.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a discussion involving Elizabeth Yeu, MD.
Yeu discusses how Demodex blepharitis shares some nonspecific symptoms with other lid and ocular surface diseases, such as irritation, foreign body sensation, and watery eyes. However, patients with Demodex blepharitis uniquely have worse morning symptoms and itching or matting of the eyelids. She states that slit lamp exam showing pathognomonic debris extrusion can help distinguish Demodex blepharitis from lookalike conditions when paired with the characteristic symptoms. Citing data from the TITAN study of over 1000 patients at 7 US clinics and a separate 200-patient study by Eric Rosenberg, DO, MSE, Yeu notes a Demodex blepharitis prevalence of 50% to 58% among patients presenting to eye care offices. She emphasizes that the disease is common enough to warrant a high index of suspicion and deliberate diagnostic approach, differentiating it from similar inflammatory conditions.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMCÒ editorial staff.
