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. 2023 Apr 11:15:55-64.
doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S403837. eCollection 2023.

Demodex Blepharitis: A Survey-Based Approach to Investigate Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Optometrists in India

Nikhil Sharma  1 , Eilidh Martin  1 , Edward Ian Pearce  1 , Suzanne Hagan  1 , Christine Purslow  2
Affiliations

Demodex Blepharitis: A Survey-Based Approach to Investigate Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Optometrists in India

Nikhil Sharma et al. Clin Optom (Auckl). .

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice towards Demodex blepharitis among optometrists in India.

Methods: The study was conducted in the form of an online survey using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). The survey link was distributed via direct e-mail and social media platforms, and it was comprised of 20 questions divided into two sections. The first section focused on the practitioners' demographics and their views on the general health of the eyelid. The second section of the survey was specific and aimed at obtaining information on identifying and treating Demodex blepharitis, and was only completed by those respondents who looked for Demodex mites.

Results: The survey was completed by 174 optometrists. The prevalence of blepharitis in the general population was judged by the respondents to be 40%, whereas the prevalence of Demodex mites was estimated to be 29%. Interestingly, the prevalence of Demodex mites in people with blepharitis was estimated to be 30%. This estimated prevalence was substantially lower than that reported in the literature on the subject. 66% of participants believed Demodex mites to be a significant cause of ocular discomfort, whereas only 30% of participants would intervene to diagnose and manage Demodex blepharitis in their patients. Optometrists differed in their preferred method of diagnosis and management of Demodex infestation in eyelids.

Conclusion: The result of this survey suggests that Demodex blepharitis is a highly under-diagnosed condition in India, with nearly 30% of surveyed optometrists managing this condition. The study also observed a lack of awareness and consensus among surveyed optometrists with regards to diagnosis and appropriate treatment methods to control Demodex infestation in eyelids.

Keywords: demodex blepharitis; dry eye; ocular surface.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Box plots showing the estimated prevalence of blepharitis in the general population, the estimated prevalence of Demodex mites in the general population and the estimated prevalence of Demodex mites in blepharitis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a and b) Bar chart showing the preferred choice of magnification among optometrists to observe eyelids (left) and Demodex mites (right), respectively. Optometrists preferred a higher magnification under the slit-lamp to observe Demodex mites. p<0.001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bar chart showing the differences in the treatment strategies. Most of the optometrists preferred patient comfort.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bar chart showing preferred management options for Demodex mites. Standard lid hygiene was the first-choice management option for majority of optometrists.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Bar chart showing the suggested duration of treatment for Demodex blepharitis. Majority of optometrists preferred 3–4 weeks of treatment.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Bar chart showing the frequency of treatment. Majority of preferred that the treatment should be performed twice a day.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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