An Australian and UK study found ivermectin cream applied nightly to the lid margins of ocular demodicosis patients reduced three signs of infestation to zero after three months.

Authors, including Professor James Wolffsohn from Aston University, UK, evaluated topical ivermectin 1.0% cream’s efficacy by the reduction in patients’ collarettes, follicle pouting and visible Demodex tails.

Writing in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, the research team said the median number of lashes with collarettes was eight at baseline, which reduced to 0 at the final visit, while the median number of lashes with follicle pouting at baseline was three, reducing to 0 at the final visit. “Fluorescein staining severity score also improved, particularly from (median) 1 at baseline to 0 at the second visit,” they wrote.