Demodex Blepharitis Treated with a Novel Dilute Povidone-Iodine and DMSO System: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Povidone-iodine aqueous solution is an antiseptic commonly used in ophthalmology for treatment of the ocular surface. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is a well-known skin penetration enhancer that is scarcely utilized in ophthalmic drug formulations. We describe here a low-dose formulation of 0.25% PVP-I in a gel containing DMSO for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. CASE REPORT: A 95-year-old female presented with chronic blepharitis involving both the anterior and posterior eyelid margins. The anterior eyelid margins demonstrated pathognomonic features consistent with Demodex infection, and this diagnosis was confirmed with microscopy. Previous traditional therapies had been ineffective at controlling her signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: The topical PVP-I/DMSO system was effective at treating the signs and symptoms of Demodex blepharitis. Further investigation of the novel agent is warranted.