Patient-Reported Burden of Illness and Unmet Needs in Demodex blepharitis

• DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s501764
• Publication Date: 2025-03-17T11:10:11Z
• Authors: Preeya Gupta; Vance Thompson; Leslie O’Dell; Anh Ho; Arthur Chan; Bhagyashree Oak; Amod Athavale; Elizabeth Yeu
• Keywords: Blepharitis

Demodex blepharitis is an ocular disorder caused by the infestation of mites that reside on eyelash follicles. This study assessed clinical, humanistic, and economic burden from a patient perspective. cross-sectional, observational used web-enabled survey to collect data US adults with in 2022. Patients unique burdens, including those receiving dry eye disease medications, wearing contact lenses, or experiencing cataracts glaucoma were also examined. Among 113 patients, mean age was 48.5 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 13.6). Half had private/commercial insurance, 55% Medicare and/or Medicaid. for average 4.3 (SD 6.7 years) before study, 1.2 3.0 elapsed between appearance symptoms diagnosis. Common symptoms, redness, dryness, itchiness eyelids, eyes, persisted returned shortly after diagnosis management most they associated negative impact quality life. visited their healthcare practitioner 3.9 times 4.8) preceding year. often managed off-label prescription such as medications indicated disease, in-office procedures, over-the-counter options. reported impacting life activities daily living, which management. suggested effectiveness symptom options temporary highlighted unmet need treating root cause disease. symptomatic, commonly lacked long-term relief mite eradication, demonstrating high patients blepharitis.