A recent study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology by a research team from the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel evaluated whether there is an increased incidence of Demodex blepharitis following cataract surgery.
Tell me about the study.
In this prospective, non-comparative clinical study, investigators assessed a cohort of 62 patients who were scheduled for cataract extraction to detect the presence of Demodex blepharitis.
To do so, researchers removed several eyelashes from each patient pre-operatively, which were then analyzed by a hospital laboratory.
This process was subsequently repeated for 3 weeks following cataract surgery.
And the participants?
Of the 62 study participants, 50% were female, and the mean age was 71.04 years old, ranging from 47 to 87 years old.
For several weeks after cataract surgery, patients were prescribed a standard treatment of topical steroid eye drops for a period of time, as required by each individual.
Findings?
Demodex colonization was noted in 22.58% of patient samples prior to cataract surgery and in 32.26% of the cohort following cataract extraction and topical post-operative steroid therapy (P = 0.0143).
…and?
The study authors noted a statistically significant increase in Demodex colonization of eyelashes following cataract surgery and standard steroid drop treatment.
Significance?
Although a Demodex infestation is not necessarily directly indicative of blepharitis, the authors concluded that Demodex blepharitis is a potential risk following cataract surgery.
Based on these results, the study authors advised ophthalmologists to consider keeping Demodex blepharitis top of mind for patients with chronic postoperative discomfort following cataract surgery.