Dry Eye

Dry eye can happen when the tear film becomes unstable, the eyelids are inflamed, or the oil glands along the lid margin are not functioning properly. In Demodex blepharitis, dry eye symptoms may appear with burning, grittiness, watery eyes, redness, itchy eyelids, lash-line crusting, collarettes, cylindrical dandruff, or recurring lid irritation. Because Demodex mites live around the eyelash follicles and can contribute to buildup along the lash line, they may also affect the eyelid environment that supports a healthy tear film. This section explains how dry eye may connect with Demodex-related eyelid concerns and what visible lash-line clues to look for.