Ocular Rosacea Treatment

The diagnosis of ocular rosacea can sometimes be difficult because the symptoms are similar to normal eye irritation from cold or windy weather conditions. Ocular rosacea treatment options are available, but until the rosacea condition is diagnosed, individuals generally consider the irritation a common winter phenomena.  Rosacea and irritated eyes is a somewhat common symptom of the disease, but the eye condition is one of the most irritating.

The red, teary or scratchy eyes can actually be a warning sign of ocular rosacea, a potentially serious eye condition. Unfortunately, most people don’t associate the eye problem with a skin disorder. The symptoms of the ocular rosacea can easily be overlooked, because they generally develop after, or sometimes before, the skin disorder affects the skin.

As a general rule, ocular rosacea is a mild, irritating condition. However, it can develop into a permanently debilitating problem, including loss of vision. For this reason, it is imperative that this condition be caught early on and proper treatment received.

One surprising fact is that almost 58 percent of rosacea sufferers have ocular symptoms. Again, early detection and treatment is the key to minimizing the effects.

Ocular rosacea is diagnosed through an overall examination of both the eyes and the facial skin. An ophthalmologist can also confirm the diagnosis with the use of a biomicroscope. This instrument allows detection of tiny visible blood vessels along the eyelid margin, as well as, any plugging of the meibomian glands. These are both classic signs of ocular rosacea.

What are the warning signs of ocular rosacea?

First, an eye affected by rosacea often appears to be watery or bloodshot. Ocular rosacea sufferers may sense a gritty or foreign body sensation in the eye. They also may experience a dry, stinging or burning sensation. There can also be a feeling of fullness in the eyelid. This sensation is often due to thickened secretions of the meibomian or Zeis glands along the eyelid margin. The role of the fatty secretions is to help avoid evaporation of the watery layer of the tears. The resultant clogging of these glands can lead to dry eye or styes. Both of these symptoms are common manifestations of ocular rosacea.

Where most ocular rosacea patients become at risk for more serious eye problems is when the cornea becomes infected. This can be very uncomfortable with the sensation of a deep boring pain in the eye. It is at this point that a more aggressive treatment approach is required in order to avoid more invasive procedures, like a corneal transplant.

If this rosacea condition is left untreated, individuals with severe ocular rosacea could experience scarring within the eyelid, vision loss, and potential loss of the eye.

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