Recent Evidence of Tea Tree Oil Effectiveness in Blepharitis Treatment

Table 2

Summary chart of effectiveness of TTO treatment tested in vivo.

Author	Purpose of study	Results
Maher et al.	The effectiveness of lid scrubbing with a TTO solution (Naviblef) was evaluated in 40 patients divided into two groups of 20 patients each, one with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction and the other with healthy subjects in a case-control study.	All patients who received lid scrubbing with a TTO formula had statistically significant improvement in signs and symptoms (), while 5 patients only treated with eye massage and cleansing changes had not statistically significant changes ().
Karakurt et al.	In 135 individuals with Demodex mite blepharitis, the efficacy of a 7.5% TTO eyelash wash was investigated.	TTO eyelash shampoo was found to be three times more efficient in reaching total Demodex elimination, lowering Demodex count and ocular symptoms dramatically.
Ergun	To assess the efficacy of two TTO-based cleaning gels in two groups of 49 individuals with chronic blepharitis. Group 1 (50 eyes of 25 patients) received a basic gel with 3% ()-TTO, whereas group 2 (48 eyes of 24 patients) received an advanced gel with 3% ()-TTO plus essential oils and vitamins.	The ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear breaking time (TBUT), ocular surface staining pattern, Schirmer’s test, and impression cytology all improved in group 2, as did the cytokines and Demodex numbers.
Koo et al.	To study 335 patients divided in 2 randomized groups with ocular discomfort to receive eyelid lavage with or without TTO, by evaluating the OSDI score	Demodex blepharitis was present in 84% of patients with ocular symptoms. Patients treated with TTO showed a significant reduction in Demodex count and improvement in ocular symptoms, more evident than the other group.
Alver et al.	Enrolling 39 chronic, treatment–refractory Demodex blepharitis patients undergoing therapy with 4% TTO eyelid gel and 10% eyelash shampoo to develop a scoring system for a very precise diagnosis of Demodex blepharitis.	TTO therapy resulted in resolution of symptoms in 25 patients, and treatment was recommended for all those with a score >4, based on the table proposed by the authors.
Murphy et al.	The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the Dr Organic Tea Tree face cleanser, OcuSoft Lids Scrub Plus, and the BlephEx TM device in the treatment of follicular blepharitis in 86 patients divided into three groups.; For four weeks, the participants were instructed to wipe their eyes every night.	At the end of therapy, all three groups had considerably lower Demodex numbers.
Mergen et al.	In patients with seborrheic blepharitis, swabs containing tea tree oil and chamomile oil were compared to baby shampoo (BS).	In terms of Demodex reduction and clinical improvement, patients in both groups demonstrated equivalent success in the treatment of seborrheic blepharitis.
Liu and Gong	To compare the antidemodectic benefits of an okra eyelid patch to tea tree oil in a prospective trial of Demodex blepharitis.	Sensitive Demodex blepharitis patients, such as the elderly and children, may benefit from the use of an okra eyelid patch.
Evren Kemer et al.	On Demodex blepharitis, the effectiveness of cyclic therapy of heat followed by terpinen-4-ol soaked wipes to eyelids (twice a day for 2 weeks, then 7-10 days off, then the same treatment was repeated) was investigated.	The patients’ symptoms and tear function tests improved dramatically following the second cycle compared to premedication stages. Symptoms recurred in two subjects (93%) after a 12-month follow-up.
Jacobi et al.	In fifty patients with Demodex blepharitis, the management of eyelid wipes filled with 2.5% terpinen-4-ol (T4O) and 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA) for 28 days was evaluated.	During the initial treatment phase, daily use of T4O filled eyelid wipes considerably relieved ocular symptoms and signs, while also lowering the mite count.