This site is intended for US Healthcare Professionals

How to Prescribe

Demodex blepharitis (DB):
Seeing the root of the problem

Demodex mites are the root cause of DB
and may become a problem for your patients1

What is Demodex blepharitis?

DB is a common eyelid margin disease caused by an overgrowth of Demodex mites and characterized by collarettes, eyelid redness, inflammation, and ocular irritation.2,3

Images are of real patients diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis.

Demodex mites are the most common ectoparasite in humans and can inhabit the eyelash follicles and meibomian glands2,3
Two-thirds of blepharitis cases are associated with Demodex mites1,*
DB is highly prevalent, but underdiagnosed1,4
~56% (n=245/440) of patients with cataracts have DB1,*
~57% (n=121/211) of patients with meibomian gland disease also have DB1,*
  60% (n=135/225) of patients treated for dry eye also have DB1,*
~93% (n=26/28) of patients with soft contact lens intolerance were found to have Demodex5,†

*STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review for DB by 7 investigators at 6 eye care clinics of the case records of patients (N=1032) who underwent a slit lamp examination, regardless of chief complaint.

In a study of people who used soft contact lenses (N=62) for a period exceeding 6 months, individuals who reported discomfort while wearing their contact lenses (n=28) were compared with others who reported no discomfort (n=34). The aim of the study was to identify any relationship between the incidence of Demodex mites in the eyelash hair follicles of patients using soft contact lenses and the abandonment of these lenses by their users.

DB LID LIBRARY

IMAGE CREDIT
Cory Lappin, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Renee Bovelle, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Marc Bloomenstein, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Albert Chenug, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Selina McGee, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Cory Lappin, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Brandon Ayres, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Joshua Davidson, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Cory Lappin, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Neda Shamie, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Vin Dang, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Renee Bovelle, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Selina McGee, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Himani Goyal, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Cory Lappin, OD
IMAGE CREDIT
Elizabeth Yeu, MD
IMAGE CREDIT
Ansel Johnson, OD

Demodex mites are the most common

ectoparasites found on human skin2

Left unchecked, they can trigger an inflammatory cascade that creates favorable conditions for proliferation and worsening disease1,2,6:

Reprinted with permission from de Freitas Yamashita LS et al. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2011;74(6):422-424.

Chemical: Mites naturally produce inflammatory biomarkers throughout their life cycle2
Mechanical: Mites can cause microscopic epithelial abrasions with their claws7
Bacterial: Mites transport bacteria on their surface and in their gut2,8

Demodex mites won’t go away
on their own and may lead to2:

  • Red, itchy, and irritated eyelids
  • Ocular surface irritation
  • Eyelash misdirection or loss
  • Inflammation
  • Altered meibomian gland function
  • Fluctuating vision

Demodex mites won’t go away
on their own and may lead to2:

  • Red, itchy, and irritated eyelids
  • Ocular surface irritation
  • Eyelash misdirection or loss
  • Inflammation
  • Altered meibomian gland function
  • Fluctuating vision

References: 1. Trattler W, Karpecki P, Rapoport Y, et al. The prevalence of Demodex blepharitis in US eye care clinic patients as determined by collarettes: a pathognomonic sign. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022;16:1153-1164. 2. Fromstein SR, Harthan JS, Patel J, Opitz DL. Demodex blepharitis: clinical perspectives. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2018;10:57-63. 3. Rhee MK, Yeu E, Barnett M, et al. Demodex blepharitis: a comprehensive review of the disease, current management, and emerging therapies. Eye Contact Lens. 2023;49(8):311-318. 4. O’Dell L, Dierker DS, Devries DK, et al. Psychosocial impact of Demodex blepharitis. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022;16:2979-2987. 5. Tarkowski W, Moneta-Wielgoś J, Młocicki D. Demodex sp. as a potential cause of the abandonment of soft contact lenses by their existing users. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:259109. 6. Yeu E, Garg S, Ayres BD, et al; from the ASCRS Cornea Clinical Committee. Current state and future perspectives in the diagnosis of eyelid margin disease: clinical review. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2024;50(8):868-875. 7. Luo X, Li J, Chen C, Tseng S, Liang L. Ocular demodicosis as a potential cause of ocular surface inflammation. Cornea. 2017;36(Suppl 1):S9-S14. 8. Bitton E, Aumond S. Demodex and eye disease: a review. Clin Exp Optom. 2021;104(3):285-294.


INDICATIONS AND USAGE
XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% is indicated for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Risk of Contamination: Do not allow the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to minimize contamination of the solution. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.

Use with Contact Lenses: XDEMVY contains potassium sorbate, which may discolor soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of XDEMVY and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common adverse reaction with XDEMVY was instillation site stinging and burning which was reported in 10% of patients. Other ocular adverse reactions reported in less than 2% of patients were chalazion/hordeolum and punctate keratitis.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-888-421-4002 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

Please see full Prescribing Information.

Available by prescription only.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% is indicated for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Risk of Contamination: Do not allow the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to minimize contamination of the solution. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.