Purpose:

Ocular demodicosis is very popular nowadays, because of its effects on ocular surface and meibomian gland dysfunction. However, it is not always possible to find an experienced parasitologist to make investigation on lash samples. Our purpose to develop a scoring for determining ocular demodicosis without microscopic investigation in an industrial region.

Methods:

Charts of the 412 patients, who had been diagnosed as blepharitis between January 2016 and August 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. Of 412 patients, those who had chronic and refractory blefaritis and whose lash samples had undergone microscopic examination were included in the study. Lash samples of the patients were examined under light microscope ( x10, x40) for Demodex infestation. We organized a scoring system for symptoms and findings between 1 and 10. Most frequent symptoms that were reported both in this study and previous studies were evaluated. Lid margin, lash status, ocular surface, ophthalmic drops and corneal findings are also added for scoring. Statistical analysis were done with SPSS 23 statistical analysis program.

Results:

From 42 patients, 31(74%) had ocular demodicosis ( 30 had D. folliculorum, 1 had both D.folliculorum and D. brevis. There is no statistical correlation between Demodex positivity and any of the symptoms solitary. The score of symptoms and findings was 2.7±1.0 in demodex negative patients and 3.8±1.6 in ocular demodicosis patients. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.047). Ninetyfour percent of the patients with the score ≥4, had ocular demodicosis (p=0.025 Pearson Chi Square). Seventytwo percent of the patients with ocular demodicosis had the score ≥3.

Conclusions:

Patients with ocular demodicosis had higher mean symptom and finding score. Patients that had score ≥4 should be assessed as demodex infestation, if there is no chance for microscopic lash investigation.