What Is Ocular Rosacea?
Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory eye condition that mainly causes red, itchy and irritated eyes. It often affects people with rosacea skin, a chronic skin condition that affects the face. Ocular rosacea is sometimes called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). There is no specific cure for ocular rosacea, but certain medications and a good eye care routine can help relieve symptoms.
How Common Is Ocular Rosacea?
Experts believe that about 5 % of people worldwide have some form of rosacea. However, many people with mild symptoms of rosacea go undiagnosed. People assume the symptoms of ocular rosacea as seasonal allergies or issues with their contact lenses.
Who Is More Likely to Get Ocular Rosacea?
Ocular rosacea can happen at any age. It develops in men and women equally. However, a few groups of people are more likely to develop ocular rosacea, including:
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Adults aged 30 and 50 years.
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Light or fair-skinned people.
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People who often blush and flush easily.
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People of Northern European origin.
What Causes Ocular Rosacea?
The actual cause of ocular rosacea is still unclear. However, researchers believe that it may be due to one or more following factors:
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Heredity.
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Environmental irritants.
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Bacterial involvement. Specifically, Helicobacter pylori bacteria that cause gastrointestinal diseases.
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Blocked glands in the eyelids.
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Tiny organisms or mites clog oil glands on the face.
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A problem with the circulation that makes the blood vessels swollen results in redness and flushing.
Several factors can cause ocular rosacea to flare up. Some of these factors or triggers that should be avoided include:
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Eating hot or spicy foods or beverages.
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Exposure to sunlight, wind, or temperature extremes.
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Emotional stress, anger, or embarrassment.
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Hot baths.
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Strenuous exercise such as running.
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Alcohol consumption.
What Are the Symptoms of Ocular Rosacea?
Some people with rosacea may have skin symptoms but no ocular rosacea symptoms. At the same time, others have ocular rosacea but no skin symptoms of rosacea. So one can also have both forms of rosacea. The signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea include:
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Inflamed or swollen eyelids (blepharitis).
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Warmth and swelling around the eyes.
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Discoloration or redness around the eyes.
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Pink eye (conjunctivitis).
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Itching.
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Burning.
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Watery eyes.
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Crusty discharge in the eyelashes.
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Recurring styes or chalazia.
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Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
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Discoloration around the eyes.
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Feeling of having a foreign body stuck in the eyes.
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Clogged oil glands of the eyelids.
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Corneal ulcers.
What Are the Complications of Ocular Rosacea?
Ocular rosacea can affect the eye surface (cornea), particularly when there are dry eyes from the evaporation of tears. Corneal complications can lead to visual symptoms and sometimes even vision loss. In addition, inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) may cause secondary cornea irritation from misdirected eyelashes or other complications.
How Is Ocular Rosacea Diagnosed?
There are no specific tests to diagnose ocular rosacea. Instead, a healthcare provider usually diagnoses ocular rosacea based on the symptoms, medical history, examination of the eyes and eyelids, and the skin of your face. The provider also considers whether or not the person responded to any common triggers of ocular rosacea.
How Is Ocular Rosacea Treated?
The most important part of managing ocular rosacea is knowing what triggers the symptoms. Medications and good eye care can control ocular rosacea symptoms. However, these treatments do not cure the condition, which often remains chronic.
The health care provider may recommend the following treatments:
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Warm compresses the eyes during and right after bathing.
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Artificial tears or eye drops that contain lipids.
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Oral antibiotics, like Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, and Minocycline. Antibiotics may be needed for a longer time for severe cases.
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Washing the eyes with pH-balanced cleansers instead of normal soap.
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Wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
At-Home Care:
People with ocular rosacea manage the symptoms by following a good eye care routine. Keeping up with this routine even when the condition clears can prevent flare-ups. In addition, the following useful tips may help:
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Keep the eyelids clean by gently washing them at least twice a day with warm water or any other product recommended by the doctor.
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Avoid wearing makeup if the eyes are inflamed.
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Avoid wearing contact lenses during flare-ups, especially if there are dry eyes.
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Prevent ocular rosacea flare-ups by avoiding things that trigger or worsen the ocular rosacea. For example, avoid eating hot, spicy foods and alcoholic beverages.
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Use artificial tears to relieve dry eyes.
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It may take a few weeks after starting with new treatments. The treatments may not cure the ocular rosacea, but they help ease the symptoms and make one more comfortable during a flare.
The most common complication of ocular rosacea treatment is that sometimes the symptoms get so bad they affect the eyes and vision permanently. Often, there is a risk that touching the eyes can lead to infections.
Follow the Treatment Plan:
People with ocular rosacea should follow the treatment plan from their care health provider as best they can. It is essential to keep all the follow-up appointments so the provider can see how a person responds to treatment. Even when not having a flare-up or when the symptoms are under control, it is important to use medicines and other preventive therapies.
How to Reduce the Risk of Ocular Rosacea?
After being diagnosed with ocular rosacea, knowing and avoiding the triggers is the most effective way to reduce the risk of future flares.
Some of the best ways to prevent ocular rosacea flares include:
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Limiting sun exposure as much as possible.
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Avoid taking the stress and find ways to cope with stress in life.
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Getting a good amount of sleep.
There is no way to prevent ocular rosacea. So instead, once diagnosed, focus on managing the symptoms and avoiding the triggers to get flares as infrequently as possible.
What Is the Outlook for People With Ocular Rosacea?
The overall outlook for ocular rosacea is positive. Even though the condition is uncomfortable and annoying, it is not a life-threatening disease. Once people with ocular rosacea learn the best ways to manage their symptoms and avoid their triggers, they should be able to minimize how much ocular rosacea impacts their life.
When to See a Health Care Provider?
Consult a healthcare provider if the symptoms worsen or flare-ups happen more frequently. The health care provider can adjust the treatment options to fit the current symptoms as they change throughout life.
Conclusion
Ocular rosacea is a chronic condition that is not curable. However, people with ocular rosacea can relieve their symptoms with treatment. People with ocular rosacea should regularly see a healthcare professional to check for damage and evaluate treatment effectiveness. Knowing and avoiding the triggers is an essential part of treating ocular rosacea.
