Lions, Tigers, and Mites...oh My!

In high school, I played the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. As she and her friends courageously leapt their way through the dark forest toward Oz, the fear of the unknown overwhelmed them.

Eye mites are nothing compared to the potential of crossing paths with wild bears, but when you first hear about them, they can feel just as overwhelming!

Many times when I visit with families about eye mites, the first question is, “Do I have them, and how do people get them?” I often see a look of terror in their eyes and quickly work to calm their fears, offering treatment options with hope and reassurance.

Eye mites, also known as Demodex, were somewhat of a mystery until more recently. Back in the early 2000s, during my years in optometry school, we heard whispers about eye mites, but not much was known. Treatment was limited to diluted baby shampoo to clean the lashes. Now, twenty years later, we know so much more!

Signs that you may have demodex include red, itchy, and irritated eyelids, blurry vision, recurring styes, and general eye discomfort. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time, leading to tearing and even lash loss. These tiny critters live in the oil glands and lashes, disrupting the natural release of oils into the tear film.

During an eye exam at Lumen Eyecare, Dr. Michael Lock and I are always on the lookout for signs and symptoms of demodex.

Even though hearing you have eye mites can feel almost as alarming as seeing a wild bear in the forest, fear not, there are great solutions! If you have any concerns or symptoms, we’d love to help. Schedule an appointment with us at Lumen Eyecare—we are here to help you keep your lashes clean and feeling their best!