While many of us take care of our eyes, it doesn't make us immune to conditions that are beyond our control. An example of this is Demodex blepharitis—a condition caused by microscopic mites we're constantly in contact with. With offices in Aiea and Honolulu, Dr. William K. Wong, Jr. of Hawaii Vision Clinic is not only here to educate you about Demodex blepharitis, but what you can do to prevent and treat it. 

What Is Demodex Blepharitis?

Presenting as microscopic mites that call home on your face, Demodex typically reaches humans either through direct contact or dust containing eggs. While there are 65 species of Demodex, only two infect humans. Demodex blepharitis occurs when the mite spreads to your eyelashes, breeding, leaving waste and essentially clogging the follicle. While it may be unclear if you're infected with Demodex, dandruff around the eyes and brittle eyelashes are common indications that you've been afflicted by the mite.  Dr. Wong can also sample your lashes and perform an in office microscopic analysis to look for these mites. 

Since the contours around the eye makes cleaning an arduous task, incomplete cleaning can lead to detrimental symptoms like itchy, burning eyes. Even more alarming is that this condition can be problematic for your skin as well, and has been linked to the development of conditions such as rosacea.  

How Can You Treat It?

When it comes to Demodex blepharitis, the best treatment lies in effective prevention methods. Routinely cleaning the area around the eye is an effective way to keep the mites at bay. If you're already infected, an eyelid scrub combined with tea tree oil will eradicate this nuisance. Dr. Wong can perform this in the office and train you how to keep then away with a specialized maintenance kit.

Treating this and other conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma, Dr. Wong and the caring staff at Hawaii Vision Clinic would love to see you. To receive more information about their services, visit their website or call (808) 594-9194 to schedule an appointment today. Don't forget to follow the practice on Facebook and Twitter as well.