Ocular Surface Disease

Ocular surface disease refers to irritation, inflammation, or dysfunction affecting the tear film, cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, and lid margin. It may appear as dry eye symptoms, burning, grittiness, redness, watery eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, or recurring eye discomfort. In Demodex blepharitis, lash-line buildup, collarettes, cylindrical dandruff, lid margin inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, and tear film instability may contribute to an unhealthy ocular surface environment. This section explains how ocular surface disease may overlap with Demodex-related eyelid concerns and what visible lash-line clues may point to recurring eyelid or eye surface irritation.