I was at the ophthalmologist today. My vision is ok, but it seems I have Demodex blepharitis. In slightly less scary words, overgrowth of eyelash mites.
I knew that everyone has mites, but evidently these are more than usual and can cause irritation. (I haven’t noticed it.)
I have to use special wipes a couple of times a day. Not too scary, but one more thing I need to treat.
Good conversation starter for certain types of conversational partners, though. May your bug-killing proceed swiftly.
“How can he see he’s got flies in his eyes if he’s got flies in his eyes?"
I’ll take your word that we all have mites. But my question is: “Must I?”
They haven’t been a problem, in fact I’ve never noticed them. But now that I know, can I rid myself of them? Please don’t tell me that a certain amount of Mite is required.
Not a good ice breaking conversation on a first date. LOL
Do you have any idea how this occurred?
Wait. That commercial didn’t make up demodex blepharitis? I was sure it was as made up as that other one about restless leg syndrome.
It just is, @Jasmine
And it creeps me out. I really hate those commercials.
Good luck. I need those wipes. Just for sanity.
No idea. It can just happen as conditions make it easier for them to survive.
My first thought exactly! 
I am multitudes. So are you.
For those interested but unfamiliar, this is what they look like under a microscope:
And this is what an adorable kid looks like who wants to be one for Halloween:
These images actually represent Digger the Dermatophyte. Any relation to a demodex mite is purely coincidental
For those with genuine … almost scholarly interest:
Generally speaking, it’s very wise to continue the treatment for the entirety of the recommended time period … sort of like antibiotics for an infection. Don’t stop early if you happen to feel relief.
That Cleveland Clinic article doesn’t have a good image showing how horrifying those little critters really are.
And here they are in their natural environment, buried in your eyelash follicle with their little tails poking out.
Jesus H. Christ on a handtruck! If I thought plucking out my eyelashes would get rid of them, I’d strongly consider it!
Mmm-mmm-mmm; protein on the hoof as it were. All 8 (?) of them.
Well, my nightmares are set for a few nights. Thanks a lot!
I have those. They’re more common in people with rosacea which I also have.
Yay me.
If I don’t keep up with the eyelid scrubs my eyes get really itchy and irritated. Between that, my red cheeks/nose. and lack of equilibrium people probably think I’m plastered all the time.
My optometrist has a stuffed one in her office.
Awww, so cuuute!!
I’ve seen a lot of different oddball anatomical models in various doctoring settings. But that’s a new one on me. I’ll have to ask my ophthalmologist about them when I see her on Monday.
These are the ones I’ve seen but it doesn’t look like they make a Demodex (yet)
Hey, I have 5 or 6 eyelash transplants on my eye where I lost the orb.
They continue to grow and I have to trim them. Sometimes. When I notice I am walking around with a cat eye look on an eye lid that sometimes doesn’t wanna blink. (Yeah. I get odd looks often)
Lord I hope mites ain’t all up in that.