In Case You Missed: Advancing Science in the Management of Demodex Blepharitis

Recent US studies have reported Demodex blepharitis infestation rates of 55% to 58% in eye care clinical patients. However, patients with Demodex blepharitis may go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms seen in dry eye disease and other ocular surface or lid margin disorders. Treatment can also be challenging as there are currently no FDA-approved therapies and most conventional options treat the symptoms of disease but not the underlying cause. Emerging therapeutic options are currently under clinical investigation that treat and target the underlying cause of Demodex blepharitis offering the potential to resolve disease and improve patient quality of life measures. In this continuing medical education activity, experts in the field review the burden and prevalence of Demodex blepharitis, evaluate the efficacy of conventional treatment strategies, and assess the latest clinical evidence pertaining to emerging therapies that hold promise in the treatment of this disease.