What causes eye mites? - briefly
Eye mites result from colonization by Demodex species—primarily Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis—that inhabit eyelash follicles and sebaceous glands; their proliferation is encouraged by factors such as inadequate ocular hygiene, excess facial oil, immune compromise, and age‑related skin changes.
What causes eye mites? - in detail
Eye mites, primarily Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, colonize the eyelid margins and lash follicles when conditions favor their proliferation. Several factors create an environment that supports their growth and transmission.
- Age‑related changes – Sebaceous gland activity increases after puberty, providing more lipid‑rich secretions for mites to feed on.
- Poor ocular hygiene – Infrequent removal of makeup, debris, or inadequate cleaning of contact lenses allows mite populations to expand.
- Skin disorders – Conditions such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or eczema disrupt the normal barrier and raise sebum production, encouraging infestation.
- Immune compromise – Reduced local immunity, whether from systemic disease or topical corticosteroid use, diminishes the eye’s ability to control mite numbers.
- Environmental humidity and temperature – Warm, moist surroundings accelerate mite life cycles, shortening the time from egg to adult.
- Close contact transmission – Direct hand‑to‑eye contact, shared towels, or cosmetic tools can transfer mites between individuals.
Mite reproduction proceeds rapidly: females lay 10–30 eggs within hair follicles, and the complete life cycle lasts 2–3 weeks. When any of the above conditions persist, the resulting increase in mite density can cause blepharitis, itching, and secondary bacterial infection. Controlling these contributing factors—regular eyelid cleansing, limiting ocular irritants, managing skin disease, and maintaining proper contact lens hygiene—reduces the likelihood of infestation.