Ocular Rosacea Can Threaten Sight
While red, teary or scratchy eyes might sometimes be shrugged off as simple irritation from harsh winter weather, these may actually be warning signs of ocular rosacea, a potentially serious condition that many people do not associate with a skin disorder.
"The effects of rosacea on the eyes may easily be overlooked because they often develop after, and sometimes before, the disorder affects the skin," said Dr. Bryan Sires, associate professor and acting chair of ophthalmology at the University of Washington. "In most cases, ocular rosacea is a mild, irritating condition, but it can develop into a permanently debilitating one -- including loss of vision -- without proper care."
Although as many as 58 percent of rosacea patients have been found to have ocular symptoms in clinical studies, he noted that the condition may be easily controlled if diagnosed and treated before it becomes severe.
An eye affected by rosacea often appears to be watery or bloodshot. Patients may feel a gritty or foreign body sensation in the eye, or have a dry, burning or stinging sensation.
"The effects of rosacea on the eyes may easily be overlooked because they often develop after, and sometimes before, the disorder affects the skin," said Dr. Bryan Sires, associate professor and acting chair of ophthalmology at the University of Washington. "In most cases, ocular rosacea is a mild, irritating condition, but it can develop into a permanently debilitating one -- including loss of vision -- without proper care."
Although as many as 58 percent of rosacea patients have been found to have ocular symptoms in clinical studies, he noted that the condition may be easily controlled if diagnosed and treated before it becomes severe.
An eye affected by rosacea often appears to be watery or bloodshot. Patients may feel a gritty or foreign body sensation in the eye, or have a dry, burning or stinging sensation.
posted by Nick Riley at 10:59 PM
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