AIM: To investigate the clinical effect of tea tree oil eye patch combined with eyelid margin deep cleaning device in treating demodex blepharitis.

METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized and self-controlled study. Thirty-two patients(sixty-four eyes)diagnosed in demodex blepharitis were enrolled in the study. We randomly assigned one eye of the participants to the study group, which received tea tree oil eye patch once a day combined with monthly eyelid margin deep cleaning, and the other eye to the control group, which received tea tree oil eye patch therapy only. OSDI score of each subject, demodex mite counts, eyelid margin cleanness degree, eyelid margin abnormal score, non-invasive tear break-up time-first, tear meniscus height, redness, meibography score and Schirmer I test of each eye were evaluated before, and three months after the treatment.

RESULTS: Three months after treatment, demodex mite counts in both groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05), the counts were lower in the study group(P<0.05). Significant improvements were observed in the eyelid margin cleanness degree of the two groups(P<0.05), and the degree was lower in the study group(P<0.05). The OSDI score decreased significantly after treatment(P<0.05). The NITBUT-first, redness and FL of the study group were significantly improved after treatment(P<0.05), and the redness and FL of the control group were significantly improved after treatment(P<0.05), NITBUT-first was longer after treatment but there was no statistical difference. The tear film parameters were no significant differences between the two groups. No significant changes were found in tear meniscus height, Schirmer I test and meibomian gland loss score after treatment. No obvious complications were observed in the study.

CONCLUSION: Tea tree oil eye patch therapy is effective in treating demodex blepharitis. With eyelid margin deep cleaning device combining, can further strengthen the efficacy of tea tree oil in eliminating mites and cylindrical cuffs, maintain the eyelid margin cleanness, and improve the abnormality of eyelid margin, which is a convenient,effective and safe treatment for demodex blepharitis.