Ocular Rosacea
Ocular rosacea (or rosacea eyes) varies from patient to patient, just as facial rosacea varies, with no two patients being exactly alike in intensity or degree of loss of sight. Ocular Rosacea or eye rosacea is described as an inflammatory eye condition that affects roughly 20% of facial rosacea patients. Ocular rosacea can cause a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids with small-inflamed lesions. The eyes may become red or bloodshot and eye lashes sometimes fall out. The ocular symptoms of rosacea are exceedingly variable, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. (These individual conditions will be described in detail below.)
The ocular rosacea symptoms are independent of the severity of facial rosacea. The most frequent symptom of ocular rosacea or opthalmic rosacea are chronically red margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts. Pain and abnormal sensitivity to light may be present. Rosacea keratitis has an unfavorable prognosis, and in extreme cases can lead to corneal opacity with blindness. Ocular rosacea combined with keratitis could lead to blindness so avoid those ocular steroid prescriptions. Just say "NO Thanks!"
Ocular rosacea patients most commonly experience irritation of the lids and eye, occurring when the oil-producing glands of the lids become obstructed or clogged. Another symptom of ocular rosacea can include styes (chalazion) and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Ocular rosacea may also affect the cornea, causing neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth), infections, and occasionally ulcers.
Ocular rosacea patients generally have chronically "bloodshot" eyes, dry eyes, and blepharitis (inflammation and debris of the eyelid margins). In severe ocular rosacea, there may be corneal ulceration (infection), which, if untreated, may even lead to perforation of the eye. This can be a potentially blinding complication.
People with rosacea have a tendency to be overall more dehydrated than others. The body is approximately 65% water while the eye is 96% water. Increasing your water intake will increase the moisture in the eye (thereby decreasing irritation and dryness). It has been found that increasing the amount of water consumed daily can ease the symptoms of ocular rosacea for many.
The dry eye syndrome, which often accompanies ocular rosacea, can also be treated with non-preserved artificial tears, as often as 4 times a day or more. Another ocular treatment is a home humidifier, which may also add valuable moisture to the air. If these treatments for the symptoms of ocular rosacea are not sufficient, more drastic treatments may be needed. One such ocular treatment involves closure of the tear drainage ducts, which is accomplished with silicone plugs, which are reversible, or punctal cautery (a burning of the tear duct openings), which is a relatively permanent ocular treatment.
Blepharitis is a common inflammatory ocular rosacea condition that affects the eyelids. It usually causes burning, itching, and irritation of the lids. Other common symptoms include sandy, itchy eyes, red and/or swollen eyelids, crusty, flaky skin on the eyelids, and dandruff. In severe cases, this ocular condition may also cause styes, irritation and inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) and conjunctiva (conjunctivitis). Some patients have no ocular symptoms at all. Blepharitis, usually a chronic problem, can be controlled with extra attention to lid hygiene. However, it may also be caused by an infection, which would require treatment with a prescription medication.
The key to controlling blepharitis is to keep the eyelids and eye lashes clean. Home treatment should begin by soaking a clean wash cloth in hot tap water. Place the compress on closed eyelids for five minutes, and then repeat. Next, gently scrub the eyelids with a wash cloth or cotton swab soaked in a mixture of equal parts of baby shampoo and water. Afterward, rinse the lids thoroughly with warm water.
This treatment may need to be repeated two to three times daily for two weeks, and then reduced to once daily. Like dandruff, there is no cure for blepharitis; but with treatment, it can be controlled. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment drops or ointments may be necessary for flare-ups or more severe cases. Remember to remove all mascara before going to bed.
Red, painful eyes may be the result of conditions known as episcleritis and scleritis. Both conditions involve inflamed blood vessels in the eye.
Keratitis is one of the more serious conditions of ocular rosacea, which may occur in relation to ocular rosacea. Keratitis is a term used to cover a range of ocular conditions where there is infection or inflammation of the cornea. This condition may result in severe eye pain, blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Medical evaluation and treatment of keratitis is absolutely essential. Minor corneal infections are commonly treated with anti-bacterial or anti-fungal eye drops. If the problem is more severe, a person may receive more intensive antibiotic treatment to eliminate the infection and may even require steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation.
Iritis another common aspect of ocular rosacea, is an inflammation of the iris, a part of the eye. Symptoms include eye pain, sensitivity to light, and/or blurry vision. The symptoms of this may resemble conjunctivitis (also known as "pink eye").
Styes can also occur in ocular rosacea. The best thing for a stye is a warm compress. Apply a warm, moist wash cloth to your lids for 5 minutes, four times a day. Within a few days the infection will either die down or come to a head and drain.
Chalazia, Chalazian or bumps on eyelids may also be a problem with ocular rosacea. Hot packs are the best treatment for these infections, also. However, if the bump fails to go away in a month it may be necessary to drain it. This is done in your Ophthalmologist's office.
Click below to access another page within the INTERNATIONAL ROSACEA FOUNDATION site.
[Symptoms of Rosacea] [Ocular Rosacea] [Acne Factor] [Dermatitis Factor] [Lifestyle Recommendations] [Oral & Topical Antibiotics] [Non-Prescription Treatments] [Prescription Treatments] [Topical Steroids] [Chemical Peels & Retinoids] [Laser Treatments] [Glossary] [Summary] [Citations] [International Rosacea Foundation Home] [Clinical Trials Resource Center]