Russian Medical Inquiry
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Demodex blepharitis: literature review

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DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2025-25-1-3

S.V. Yanchenko1, A.V. Malyshev2,3, Sh.Zh. Teshaev1, G.R. Odilova1, G.B. Zhuraeva1

1Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara,   Republic of Uzbekistan

2Scientific Research Institute — Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1, Krasnodar,   Russian Federation

3Maykop State University of Technology, Maykop, Russian Federation

The Demodex mite is one of the most common microscopic ectoparasites, and it is currently believed to be a cause of at least 60% of all cases of blepharitis. Demodex blepharitis and associated changes of ocular surface such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and ‘'dry eye'' syndrome (DES) caused by lipid deficiency and increased evaporation of the tear film, lead to a patient's "quality of life" deterioration. Also, they may induce ophthalmic surgery complications. Typically, metronidazole (as a local and systematic therapeutic agent), as well as sulfur- and tea tree oil-based preparations are used to treat demodex blepharitis in the Russian Federation and post-Soviet states. New possibilities of antiparasitic treatment may be associated with of a product based on a combination of metronidazole and sulfoconcentrol. In addition to antiparasitic treatment, eyelid hygiene used as a part of a comprehensive therapy for demodex blepharitis associated with MGD and DES provides both a decrease in the mite's population size and improved condition of the ocular surface. Despite the existing possibilities, further researches are required since a therapy for demodex blepharitis should be improved (in particular, new acaricidal agents and advanced therapeutic methods should be developed).

Keywords: blepharitis, demodex, meibomian gland dysfunction, ''dry eye'' syndrome, eyelid hygienе.

For citation: Yanchenko S.V., Malyshev A.V., Teshaev Sh.Zh., Odilova G.R., Zhuraeva G.B. Demodex blepharitis: literature review. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2025;25(1):20–28 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2025-25-1-3

About the authors:

Sergey V. Yanchenko — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sinо; 10, Gidzhuvanskaya str., Bukhara, 200126, Republic of Uzbekistan; ORCID iD 0000-0002-7371-689X

Alexey V. Malyshev — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Research Institute — Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1; 167, 1 Maya str., Krasnodar, 350000, Russian Federation; Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Maykop State University of Technology; 191, Pervomaiskaya str., Maykop, 385000, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-1448-9690

Shukhrat Zh. Teshaev — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Rector of the Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino; 10, Gidzhuvanskaya str., Bukhara, 200126, Republic of Uzbekistan; ORCID iD 0009-0002-1996-4275

Gulzhamol R. Odilova — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino; 10, Gidzhuvanskaya str., Bukhara, 200126, Republic of Uzbekistan; ORCID iD 0000-0001-8825-8134

Gulrukh B. Zhuraeva — Associate Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino; 10, Gidzhuvanskaya str., Bukhara, 200126, Republic of Uzbekistan; ORCID iD 0009-0003-4198-7016

Contact information: Sergey V. Yanchenko, e-mail: Eye2105sv@gmail.com

Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned.

There is no conflict of interest.

Received 20.11.2024.

Revised 11.12.2024.

Accepted 15.01.2025.

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