Treatments for Rosacea of the Eye

Rosacea is characterized by red facial skin and bumps that look like irritated acne. However, roscaea is not acne and is therefore not treated with acne products. According to the International Rosacea Foundation, up to 85% of people with rosacea will also have ocular rosacea, which is rosacea of the eye. This can make eyes bloodshot, irritated, red and swollen, with small bumps that can become inflamed. While there are different symptoms with ocular rosacea, there are also different treatments to help.

Water as a Treatment

• While not a cause of ocular rosacea, dehydration can make you have more numerous and frequent symptoms. Eyes are mainly water and being dehydrated means they are not going to be as wet and lubricated, which increases rosacea symptoms. Also, when the eye is well lubricated it will not feel as gritty and dry.

  Some rosacea sufferers find relief using eye drops up to four or more times a day. Others can get some comfort out of using a humidifier as well. Dry air, ceiling fans and other irritants can dry out eyes. Make sure that you keep your house as irritant free as possible to reduce any ocular rosacea symptoms.

Lid Hygiene in Ocular Rosacea

• Some treatments for the ocular rosacea symptoms are as simple as good eye and lid hygiene. Keeping the eyelid and the eye lashes clean is top priority for symptoms of blepharitis, which include burning, irritated, itching lids with crusty flaky spots. As most soaps and facial cleansers will burn the eyes, use equal parts baby shampoo and water on a wash cloth to cleanse your eyelid and eye lashes twice a day.

Eye Drops in Ocular Rosacea

• Saline solution eye drops can help reduce the dry and gritty feeling of ocular rosace. Your doctor may also prescribe antibacterial or antifungal eye drops for keratitis, which is eye pain, light sensitivity, blurry vision and inflammation or infection of the cornea. If the keratitis is serious, a doctor can prescribe an antibiotic or steroid. The steroid will reduce the inflammation while the antibiotic will take care of the infection. While these eye drops can help with an ocular rosacea flare-up,they are not a permanent treatment. There is no cure for ocular rosacea, only treating the symptoms as they arise.