The efficacy of tea tree face wash, 1, 2-Octanediol and microblepharoexfoliation in treating Demodex folliculorum blepharitis.

To compare the efficacy of Dr Organic Tea Tree Face Wash, OcuSoft Lids Scrub Plus and the BlephEx™ device at treating of Demodex folliculorum blepharitis.

Eighty-six subjects (33 males/36 females) were enrolled in a randomised controlled interventional treatment study. Subjects completed a dry eye symptom questionnaire and were assessed for presence of Demodex folliculorum. Subjects were divided into three groups according to treatment: Dr Organic Tea Tree Face Wash (A) (n=28), OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus (B) (n=30), or in-house lid scrub with the BlephEx™ device before nightly lid scrubs with OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus (C) (n=28). Subjects were advised to clean their eyelids nightly for four weeks. Each subject was re-assessed for symptoms and Demodex folliculorum blepharitis after two weeks and four weeks of treatment.

The quantity of Demodex folliculorum was significantly reduced after four weeks of treatment in all three groups (p<0.05). Overall, there was no difference in efficacy between the three treatments (p>0.1). Symptoms reported by subjects were significantly improved after two and four weeks of treatment (p<0.05). Overall, there was no difference in efficacy between the three treatments to reduce symptoms after two or four weeks (p= 0.813 and p=0.646 respectively).

All three methods tested have shown good ability to reduce Demodex folliculorum quantity, improve subjective symptoms and help treat Demodex folliculorum blepharitis.