Eye rosacea: Signs, origins, and remedies
Ocular rosacea is an inflammatory condition that affects the eyes, causing redness, burning, and watering. This condition is often linked to skin rosacea and can lead to complications if left untreated.
The exact cause of ocular rosacea is unknown, but it is believed to be the result of chronic inflammation affecting the eyelids and oil glands. Factors such as immune system responses, microbial factors like skin mites, environmental triggers, dietary choices, emotional stress, and irritating medications or skincare products may contribute to this inflammation.
Common symptoms of ocular rosacea include dilated blood vessels in the eyelids, watering, blurriness, a burning sensation, sensitivity to light, scaly debris among the eyelashes, a feeling that there is grit in the eyes, irritation around the eyelids (blepharitis), chalazia or styes, inflamed corneas (keratitis), and inflammation of the eyelid glands (meibomian gland dysfunction).
Treatment for ocular rosacea focuses on controlling inflammation and managing symptoms. Good eyelid hygiene is crucial in reducing blockage and inflammation. This involves keeping the eyelids clean and free from skin scales along the eyelashes. Specially made solutions, diluted baby shampoo, or a bicarbonate solution can be used for this.
Prescription topical and oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended to reduce inflammation. Oral retinoids can also be used, but their side effects may worsen symptoms. If a stye becomes infected, a doctor may recommend an oral antistaphylococcal antibiotic.
Therapies targeting meibomian gland dysfunction, such as warm compresses and gland expression, can help improve the flow of eyelid gland secretions and help with chalazia or styes. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a stye that does not get better.
Advanced treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy can improve gland function and reduce inflammation. Some individuals with dry eyes may benefit from oral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
If ocular rosacea does not respond to topical steroids, a doctor may suggest topical cyclosporin. In extreme cases, a keratoplasty (cornea transplant) may be recommended if someone develops a whitened or perforated cornea.
Because triggers vary between patients, maintaining a symptom diary to identify and avoid personal triggers is recommended for better management. It is important to work with a doctor to manage the condition, as ocular rosacea can cause vision changes if it is severe and left untreated.
Ocular rosacea often affects individuals who have rosacea, a chronic skin condition. While there is no cure for ocular rosacea, medications can help control the symptoms.
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology. (n.d.). Rosacea. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/rosacea-overview [2] National Rosacea Society. (n.d.). Ocular Rosacea. Retrieved from https://www.rosacea.org/patients/managing/ocular_rosacea [3] Mayo Clinic. (2020, October 29). Rosacea. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20354975 [4] American Academy of Dermatology. (2020, July 13). Rosacea. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/rosacea [5] National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 17). Rosacea. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000856.htm
- Ocular rosacea, a condition affecting the eyes, can lead to redness, burning, and watering, and is often linked to skin rosacea – a chronic skin condition.
- A key factor in the causing of ocular rosacea is believed to be chronic inflammation affecting the eyelids and oil glands, which may be influenced by immune system responses, microbial factors, environmental triggers, dietary choices, emotional stress, and irritating medications or skincare products.
- The treatment for ocular rosacea centers around controlling inflammation and managing symptoms through methods like good eyelid hygiene, prescription medications, and therapies targeting meibomian gland dysfunction.
- In severe cases or if topical treatments are not effective, advanced treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, oral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, or even cornea transplant (keratoplasty) may be considered.
- To better manage ocular rosacea, it is essential to maintain a symptom diary, identify and avoid personal triggers, and work closely with a doctor, as the condition can cause vision changes if severe and left untreated.
