Symptoms & Treatment for Ocular Rosacea

Ocular rosacea is one of four subtypes of the chronic and incurable inflammatory skin disorder rosacea. According to the International Rosacea Foundation, approximately 82 percent of people with rosacea on their face also have the ocular variety simultaneously.

Symptoms

• Ocular rosacea causes a continual burning sensation and a gritty feeling in the eyes, and eyelids that are inflamed, swollen and covered with small, inflamed bumps. These symptoms are called blepharitis.

Complications

• Common side effects are red eyes and eyelashes that fall out. Further potential complications include blurry vision, chalazion (styes), conjunctivitis (pink eye), dryness, iritis (inflamed irises), itching, keratitis (inflamed corneas) and photosensitivity (extreme sensitivity to light).

Treatment

• Ocular rosacea is frequently controlled with tetracycline antibiotics, such as the prescription oral medication doxycycline. Other measures include cleaning the eyelid with water or an antibiotic solution to combat bacteria and applying a corticosteroid or progestational steroid to ease hypersensitivity.

Home Remedy

• People with ocular rosacea can counteract dryness and inflammation in the eyes by drinking more water. Since eyes are 96 percent water, increasing the body's hydration increases moisture in the eyes.

Warning

• Although ocular rosacea isn't usually dangerous, severe untreated cases can lead to ulcers on the cornea and blindness due to tiny holes in the eye.