A Guide to Ocular Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin disease that mainly affects the face. It causes skin redness and acne-like pimples. Ocular rosacea is a form of the disease that affects the eyes. Ocular rosacea symptoms include bloodshot or irritated eyes and swollen eyelids.

Ocular rosacea treatment is vital if you develop the condition. Left untreated, it can endanger your eyesight.

This article gives an overview of ocular rosacea. It explains the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this form of rosacea.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition. It commonly affects the forehead, nose, and cheeks, causing redness and pimples. About 60% of people with rosacea have a case that affects the eyes. This is ocular rosacea.

Ocular rosacea is a complex condition. It likely involves Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source dysfunctional oil glands, chronic inflammation, and an overgrowth of organisms that typically inhabit the lid margins. These organisms include bacteria and microscopic Demodex mites.

It is possible to have ocular rosacea before any skin problems occur. 

Ocular rosacea can affect the eyes, eyelids, and areas around the eyes. Various symptoms can develop, including:

• bloodshot or watery eyes
• blurry or decreased vision
• dry eyes
• excess debris along the eyelids or eyelashes 
• gritty feeling, like you have sand or dust in your eyes
• itchy, burning, or stinging eyes
• red, swollen eyelids, which is the most common symptom
• sensitivity to light
• styes and chalazions 

Ocular rosacea symptoms are usually mild. It is easy to mistake them for other conditions, such as allergies. Because of this, people with rosacea may not realize the disease is affecting their eyes. This is especially true for people who do not have skin symptoms yet.

The exact cause of rosacea, including ocular rosacea, is unclear. Researchers have linked several factors Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source  to its development.

Possible associations include:

• genetics
• Demodex mites, which can clog skin pores and carry bacteria that can lead to inflammation
• environmental factors
• infections by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that cause infections in the digestive tract
• immune system reactions
• vascular problems, which result in blood and lymph vessel swelling

With microorganisms, it is unclear whether they are a cause or a consequence of rosacea.

There are also several things that can trigger a rosacea flare, including:

• aerobic exercise
• alcohol
• exposure to wind
• extreme temperatures
• hot beverages
• spicy food
• stress
• UV light

If you have rosacea, it is important to learn your triggers and to try to avoid them. This is a big step toward managing rosacea. 

Try keeping a symptom journal Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source  to help in this effort. Note when a rosacea flare occurs and what triggers might have been involved. Include the foods and drinks you had, whether you spent time in the sun, and whether you felt more stressed than usual.

Over time, this process may help you identify and steer clear of your rosacea triggers. 

Rosacea is a clinical Trusted Source National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Governmental authority Go to source diagnosis. This means there is no specific test for the condition. Instead, doctors rely on your medical history and an exam. 

Because rosacea affects the skin, most people seek care from a dermatologist. If rosacea affects your eyes though, you should ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in treating eye problems. An eye doctor will also tell you about special medicines and treatments that can help you cope with ocular rosacea. 

There is no cure for rosacea, including ocular rosacea. Untreated ocular rosacea can lead to eyelid infections. Eye doctors can prescribe medicines that will fight these infections and ease other symptoms of the condition. Medications include Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source :

• antibiotic eye ointment 
• artificial tears to moisten and lubricate the eyes
• corticosteroid eyedrops and eye ointments to treat redness and swelling
• cyclosporine eyedrops
• oral antibiotics, which have anti-inflammatory Trusted Source National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Governmental authority Go to source  effects at doses for rosacea treatment

Your eye doctor may want you to clean your eyelids gently several times a day. To do this, you use an over-the-counter eyelid cleanser or a mild baby shampoo. Applying a warm compress over your eyes several times a day also helps. This may ease symptoms and prevent infection. 

Check with your eye doctor about intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for ocular rosacea. This in-office procedure can target and constrict blood vessels that cause inflammation and redness of the eyelids.

IPL has been used to treat Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. In these common eye conditions, glands either clog or do not secrete enough oil to lubricate the eye surface. The heat from IPL encourages glands to secrete oil.

Untreated ocular rosacea can lead to serious Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source  problems, including: 

• Iritis: This is painful inflammation of the iris, the color part of the eye.
• Keratitis: This is an ulcer on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye.
• Scleritis: This inflammation of the sclera, the white of the eye.

Eventually, prolonged inflammation can lead to neovascularization of the cornea. This is the development of new blood vessels. Scarring in these areas of the eye can also happen. These effects can impair your vision. In severe cases, blindness can occur. 

Ocular rosacea is a form of the inflammatory skin condition rosacea. It can occur before skin problems develop or at the same time. The main symptoms are redness and swelling of the eyelids. Eye irritation and infections can also occur.

Doctors do not fully understand what causes ocular rosacea, and there is no cure. However, treatment is available to manage symptoms.