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Gulf Coast Life

Microscopic Mites May Cause Common Eye Problems

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Demodex follicularum in a KOH preparation of skin.
K.V. Santosh

Demodexis the name of a microscopic mite that lives in peoples’ eyelashes, and while people often live with them without any symptoms, an infestation can cause problems. On today’s show, we talk with a local optometrist, Dr. Kelly Anderson, and certified Ophthalmic Assistant Micah Handschmann of Anderson Eye Care in Naples about Demodex, the problems they can cause, and ways to treat not only symptoms like dry eye and blepharitis, but also the mites at the root of the issue.