EYE SYMPTOMS OF ROSACEA POSE SERIOUS RISK TO VISION

March 15, 2004

.... ocular rosacea has been diagnosed in as many as 58 percent of rosacea

patients in clinical studies, and eye symptoms were reported by 61 percent

of rosacea sufferers in a patient survey...

Visually, an eye affected by rosacea often appears simply to be watery or

bloodshot. While some ocular rosacea patients experience no eye discomfort,

many feel as though there is a foreign body or something gritty in their

eyes. They may also have feelings of burning, stinging, itching or dryness,

as well as light sensitivity, blurred vision or decreased visual acuity.

According to Dr. Sires, associate professor of ophthalmology at the

University of Washington, the majority of ocular rosacea patients may also

have a feeling of fullness in the eyelid, the result of thickened secretions

of the meibomian or Zeis glands along the eyelid margin. These fatty

secretions help to avoid evaporation of the watery layer of the tears.

Meibomian gland dysfunction, in which the plugging of these glands may

result in dry eye or styes, was found to affect 85 percent of ocular rosacea

patients ... Tiny visible blood vessels or redness on the eyelid were found

in 53 percent of the patients, while 44 percent suffered from blepharitis,

an inflammation of the eyelid, and 41 percent had bloodshot eyes.

Sixteen percent of the 88 ocular rosacea patients in the study had corneal

scarring, and other corneal complications included corneal swelling or

thinning and the development of additional blood vessels. ...

Ocular rosacea is diagnosed by an overall examination of both the facial

skin and eyes. Ophthalmologists frequently use a biomicroscope, which allows

the detection of tiny visible blood vessels along the eyelid margin and any

plugging of the meibomian glands.

Treatment for ocular rosacea is typically a combination of local and

systemic therapy as well as cleansing and tearing agents, all of which may

be adjusted over time.

For mild cases, patients are often instructed to use warm compresses several

times a day on the eyelids. Lid hygiene may include gentle cleansing with a

Q-Tip and baby shampoo. For moderate cases, topical medications may be

prescribed, along with eye drops for lubrication.

" For more severe cases, patients are placed on oral antibiotics such as

doxycycline, " Dr. Sires said. " This is at regular doses for a two-week

period and then at a maintenance dose for several months thereafter. "

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