Age differences in ocular demodicosis: Demodex profiles and clinical manifestations
Jing Li, Xiaohui Luo, Yinglin Liao, Lingyi Liang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: infestation is highly age-dependent. Intriguingly, our previous studies that focused on children and young adult patients suggested that the clinical features of young patients were different from those studies enrolling mainly elderly patients. Whether age plays a role between young and elderly patients with ocular demodicosis remains unclear. METHODS: mite count, symptoms, tear film, and ocular changes were compared between the two groups. Risk factors of meibomian gland loss (MGL) and corneal changes were analysed in the two groups. RESULTS: percentage and lid margin anomalies were related to MGL in young patients. MGL was associated with corneal change, but age was the only predictor of MGL in the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: infestation, more MGL, and more corneal involvement.