In Vitro Acaricidal Effect of Proparacaine HCl on Demodex Folliculorum

Purpose: This research aimed to assess the underlying cause behind the in vitro acaricidal impact of proparacaine HCl on Demodex Folliculorum.

Methods: In accordance with Gao's suggestion we epilated a total of 8 eyelashes 4 from the lower and 4 from the upper eyelid of a patient who applied for blepharitis symptoms to the ophthalmology clinic. We fixated 4 of these eyelashes with classical immersion oil and covered them with a coverslip. We wetted 4 of them with Proparacaine Hydrochloride 5 mg (0.5%) and painted them with Na-fluorescein, and covered them with a coverslip.

Results: When we examined the eyelashes that were wetted with Proparacaine Hydrochloride under the light microscope there was no difference in mobility in the Demodex of the eyelashes at first 15 minutes. After 30 minutes we saw that the creamy lipid-like structure which is seen normally in the middle of the Demodex was saponified in Demodex. The other Demodex samples that were in the immersion oil were still alive.

Conclusions: In this case report, we wanted to evaluate the reason for the acaricidal effect of Proparacaine Hydrochloride a local anesthetic agent on Demodex folliculorum. The idea came true while trying to demonstrate Na-fluorescein uptake of Demodex folliculorum under the microscope after using Proparacaine Hydrochloride5 mg (0.5%) to wet the Na-fluorescein paper and surprisingly we obtained these findings suggesting that it is a substance that may have an anti-acaricidal, anti-demodex effect potential to be a new player for treatment of demodicosis in the future.