Baja prevalencia de infestación palpebral por Demodex folliculorum en pacientes con glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto tratados con análogos de prostaglandinas

Introduction: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) shows exponential growth related to age. Prostaglandin analogues are the drugs of first choice. As a side effect they cause elongation, pigmentation and thickening of the eyelashes. The Demodex is the ectoparasite that is in the skin of the humans and is associated to blefaritis. Their rate of infestation increases with age. Aim: Analyze and compare the prevalence of eyelid infestation by Demodex in elderly patients with POAG, who attend the clinic in a random manner, and who are receiving treatment with prostaglandin analogues. Methods: 110 eyes in treatment with prostaglandin analogues for POAG were included. An eyelash was removed to analyze it under the microscope and observe its probable infestation. The results were compared with a group of patients with similar characteristics who did not use this drug. In addition, an in vitro study with one drop of the different prostaglandin analogues on the slide plate of samples infested with Demodex was carried out to evaluate the direct chemical effect. Results: 36.4% of patients with POAG treated with prostaglandin analogues were infested with Demodex. In the in vitro study the morphological changes that the mites suffered were observed. Conclusions: Although the average age was higher in the group of patients studied, a low prevalence of eyelid infestation of Demodex was observed, which contrasts with other series of patients of the same age who did not receive this medication in which the prevalence of infestation was higher.