What are eye mites?

What are eye mites? - briefly

Eye mites are microscopic parasitic arthropods, chiefly Demodex species, that live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the human eyelids. They consume skin cells and secretions, and can provoke irritation, blepharitis, or dry‑eye symptoms when their population becomes excessive.

What are eye mites? - in detail

Eye mites are microscopic arthropods that inhabit the hair follicles and sebaceous glands surrounding the eyes. The two species most commonly associated with the ocular region are Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. D. folliculorum resides primarily in the lash follicles, while D. brevis penetrates the associated glands.

These organisms complete their life cycle on the human host. Adult females lay up to 30 eggs within the follicle; eggs hatch in 3‑4 days into larvae, which mature into adults over 2‑3 weeks. The entire cycle lasts approximately one month, after which the cycle repeats.

Typical manifestations include:

  • Excessive tearing or dry‑eye sensation
  • Irritation, itching, or burning around the lids
  • Redness of the conjunctiva or eyelid margin
  • Presence of cylindrical dandruff (collarettes) at the base of lashes
  • Occasional crusting or debris on lashes

Diagnosis relies on direct microscopic examination of epilated lashes. A sample of several lashes is placed on a slide with a drop of saline or oil, then examined under 10‑40× magnification to identify characteristic elongated, cigar‑shaped bodies with four pairs of legs.

Management strategies focus on reducing mite density and alleviating inflammation:

  • Daily lid hygiene with warm compresses followed by gentle scrubbing using diluted tea tree oil (0.1‑0.5 %) or commercial lid cleansers
  • Topical ivermectin 1 % cream applied to the lid margin for a prescribed period
  • Oral ivermectin (200 µg/kg) in severe or refractory cases, administered under medical supervision
  • Maintenance regimen of twice‑weekly lid cleaning to prevent recurrence

Prevention emphasizes regular lid hygiene, avoidance of excessive use of oily cosmetics near the lashes, and monitoring for early signs in individuals with chronic blepharitis or rosacea, conditions that predispose to higher mite colonization.