Ocular Rosacea

Acne rosacea is a dermatological disease which often affects the eyes (ocular rosacea).  Although there are many theories for the cause of acne rosacea, its cause remains unknown. Acne rosacea is common and is frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.  It generally affects individuals between ages 30 to 60, is more common in females and is more frequent among fair complexions, especially Scotch-Irish descendants and in those of northern European origin.

Ocular rosacea symptoms may include dry eyes, painful/red eyelids, loss of eyelashes, light sensitivity, scant discharge, mild decreased vision, swollen eyelids and/or tired eyes.  Patients may experience recurrent styes/chalazions, chronic blepharitis, dry eyes, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Acne rosacea is noted for it red “flushing” of skin in the area(s) of the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin and neck.  This flushing may be aggravated by alcohol consumption, anxiety, stress, excitement, depression and exposure to wind, heat, cold, sunlight and airborne elements.  Also occurring in these flush areas may be papules (small raised, red skin nodules); pustules (very small, non-inflamed nodules); rhinophyma (enlarged, flush nose); telangiectasia (prominent, dilated, superficial capillary vessels on the skin surface) and sebaceous gland hypertrophy (thickened, irregular, erythematous skin texture).

The primary treatment for ocular rosacea is topical and/or oral antibiotics.  This therapy may last for several weeks and is tapered slowly.  Specific ocular complications are treated as indicated and are an adjunct to the antibiotics therapy.  Acne and ocular rosacea often recur and must be retreated.  Frequent recurrences may require low-dose maintenance of antibiotics for indefinite periods to reduce recurrences.