Method for treating ocular demodex

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for treating a disorder chosen from ocular Demodex, Demodex -induced blepharitis, rosacea, acne, and meibomian gland dysfunction in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a substance chosen from at least one of an isoprenoidal essential oil such as Tea Tree Oil; Terpinen-4-ol; (+)-Carvone; alpha-Terpineol; Cardinene; d-Carvone; l-Carvone; gamma-Terpinene; alpha-Terpinene; 1,8-Cineole; alpha-Terpineol; para-Cimene; alpha-Pinene; Limonene; (R)-(+)-Limonene; alpha-Thugene; Eucalyptol; (+)-Ledene; Cuminic Aldehyde; and Myrcene; the administration comprising contacting or scrubbing an affected area of skin or hair, or eyelid margin and lashes of the patient with the composition; also disclosed are a method for treating mange and mite infestations on a mammalian animal; and kits for in-office and at home treatments of the disorders.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . An ophthalmic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of tea tree oil. 
   
   
       30 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is about 20% to about 100% tea tree oil. 
   
   
       31 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is about 50% tea tree oil. 
   
   
       32 . The composition of  claim 29 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       33 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of an ocular  Demodex  infestation,  Demodex -induced blepharitis, rosacea, acne, or meibomian gland dysfunction. 
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of an ocular  Demodex  infestation. 
   
   
       35 . An ophthalmic composition for treating a  Demodex  infestation, the composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of terpinen-4-ol, (+)-carvone, or any combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       36 . The composition of  claim 35 , comprising about 50% (+)-carvone. 
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of an ocular  Demodex  infestation,  Demodex -induced blepharitis, rosacea, acne, or meibomian gland dysfunction. 
   
   
       38 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of a  Demodex  infestation. 
   
   
       39 . A method for treating ocular  Demodex  infestation or  Demodex -induced blepharitis in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering an ophthalmic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of tea tree oil to the eyelid area, and contacting the composition with the eyelid margin and eyelash root areas until sufficient to achieve a desired effect. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the ophthalmic composition comprises about 20% to about 100% tea tree oil. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the ophthalmic composition comprises about 50% tea tree oil. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the subject shows improvement in ocular itching,  Demodex  count, foreign body sensation, misdirected lashes, dry eye, redness, light-sensitivity, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the subject is refractory to an anti-inflammatory, conventionally anti-microbial antibiotic, or an anti-allergy therapy for ocular  Demodex  infestation or  Demodex -induced blepharitis. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising scrubbing the eyelid margin and eyelash root areas with a shampoo, gel, solution or suspension comprising tea tree oil before or after applying the composition. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the shampoo, gel, solution or suspension is a tea tree oil shampoo. 
   
   
       47 . A method for treating ocular  Demodex  infestation or  Demodex -induced blepharitis in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering an ophthalmic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of terpinen-4-ol or (+)-carvone, or any combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, to the eyelid area; and contacting the ophthalmic composition onto the eyelid margin and eyelash root areas until sufficient to achieve a desired effect. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the ophthalmic composition comprises about 50% (+)-carvone. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising scrubbing the eyelid margin and eyelash root areas with a shampoo, gel, solution or suspension comprising tea tree oil before or after applying the composition. 
   
   
       50 . A dermatologic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of tea tree oil and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       51 . The composition of  claim 50 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is about 50% tea tree oil. 
   
   
       52 . The composition of  claim 50 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of a dermatologic  Demodex  infestation,  Demodex -induced blepharitis, rosacea, acne, or meibomian gland dysfunction. 
   
   
       53 . The composition of  claim 52 , wherein the composition is effective for the treatment of a dermatologic  Demodex  infestation.