Treatment of Ocular Rosacea
Ocular rosacea treatment usually consists of lid hygiene measures which include daily cleansing with cotton-tipped applicators (Q-tips). This entails cleansing the bases of the lashes with a moistened Q-tip to remove debris and oily secretions. Some ophthalmologists advocate cleansing with dilute baby shampoo, while others believe that plain water is best.
Often, an antibiotic or combination antibiotic-steroid ointment is prescribed for various periods of time, depending on response. The dry eye syndrome, which often accompanies rosacea, should be treated with non-preserved artificial tears, as often as 4 times a day or more.
A home humidifier may also be valuable.
If these measures are not sufficient, closure of the tear drainage ducts may be easily accomplished with silicone plugs, which are reversible, or punctal cautery (burning of the tear duct openings), which is relatively permanent.
Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline) are very useful in the management of patients with rosacea, not only because of the antibiotic effect, but because tetracyclines tend to decrease the viscosity of naturally secreted oils, thereby reducing the oil gland "plugging" that occurs with this disease. Most ophthalmologists will prescribe long-acting tetracyclines such as doxycycline, which can be taken once or twice a day. Furthermore, doxycycline, unlike traditional tetracycline, can be taken with food and milk products, without an adverse effect on absorption.
Often, an antibiotic or combination antibiotic-steroid ointment is prescribed for various periods of time, depending on response. The dry eye syndrome, which often accompanies rosacea, should be treated with non-preserved artificial tears, as often as 4 times a day or more.
A home humidifier may also be valuable.
If these measures are not sufficient, closure of the tear drainage ducts may be easily accomplished with silicone plugs, which are reversible, or punctal cautery (burning of the tear duct openings), which is relatively permanent.
Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline) are very useful in the management of patients with rosacea, not only because of the antibiotic effect, but because tetracyclines tend to decrease the viscosity of naturally secreted oils, thereby reducing the oil gland "plugging" that occurs with this disease. Most ophthalmologists will prescribe long-acting tetracyclines such as doxycycline, which can be taken once or twice a day. Furthermore, doxycycline, unlike traditional tetracycline, can be taken with food and milk products, without an adverse effect on absorption.
posted by Nick Riley at 8:33 AM
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