The Most Common Effects of Ocular Rosacea

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, identified the most common eye effects of ocular rosacea found by ophthalmologists during patient examinations.
In the study of 88 ocular rosacea patients, 85 percent had meibomian gland dysfunction. These glands secrete a fatty substance that helps keep the eye from drying out, and plugging of these glands may result in dry eye or styes.
Other common physical effects included tiny visible blood vessels or redness on the eyelid, found in 53 percent of the patients; blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid, found in 44 percent; and bloodshot eyes, seen in 41 percent.
Among more severe potential manifestations of ocular rosacea, corneal scarring was found in 16 percent of the patients and corneal neovascularization (the development of additional blood vessels in the cornea) was found in 11 percent. Both conditions may result in loss of vision or visual acuity.

Ocular Rosacea And Contacts

Anyone with ocular rosacea should consult their physician about the safety of wearing contact lenses in their particular case. Depending on the individual, the symptoms of ocular rosacea may make wearing contact lenses problematic.
Common symptoms may include watery or bloodshot eyes, foreign body sensation, burning or stinging, dryness, itching and light sensitivity. Blepharitis, where the eyelids are red and swollen and have dried crusts, and chalazion, a small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid, may also occur. However, the good news is that with appropriate treatment, symptoms of ocular rosacea may be brought under control.

Treatment of Ocular Rosacea With Laser

Ocular rosacea should avoid all refractive surgery techniques until their ocular rosacea symptoms are treated and managed and under control. Even after management, having refractive surgery with ocular rosacea may not be wise because of the possibility of reoccurring outbreaks.

Ocular rosacea can affect both the eye surface and eyelid. Symptoms can include redness, dry eyes, foreign body sensations, sensitivity of the eye surface, burning sensations and eyelid symptoms such as styes, redness, crusting and loss of eyelashes. Ocular rosacea can leave the eyes feeling irritated and "gritty".

Treating Ocular Rosacea With Eye Drops

There are four new eye drops now available to rosacea sufferers for ocular rosacea. These do much more than just lubricate the eyes.They actually treat some of the underlying pathology.

1. Cyclosporine Eye Drops – these drops have been out for about ayear. For moderate to severe inflammatory ocular rosacea, there isno better treatment.
2. Castor Oil Eye Drops – For unknown reasons high concentrationcastor oil eye drops are very effective for generalizedmeibomianitis (inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelids)
3. Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Eye Drops -- Very Effective forocular rosacea caused or made worse by menopause.
4. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Eye Drops – The newest treatment.Decreased androgens in the tear film layer has many negativeactions. Addition of certain androgens reverses many symptoms.

Will these new treatments be effective? Only time and clinical trials will tell.

Treating Ocular Rosacea

Oral tetracycline and doxycycline effectively control the ocular symptoms of rosacea; these are the only agents that have been rigorously studied in the treatment of ocular rosacea. A short course of topical corticosteroid solution may be useful for symptomatic relief of ocular rosacea; however, ocular steroid therapy should be initiated and managed by an ophthalmologist because experience with this treatment is limited. Liquid tears are useful for dry eyes and relief of ocular itching.

Ocular Symptoms Can Also Be A Sign of Eczema

Many eye changes may be seen in association with atopic dermatitis. A Dennie-Morgan fold is a fold of skin under the lower eyelid. It is often seen in atopic dermatitis but may also be seen independent of atopic dermatitis and is of no significance to the overall health of the person.

Conjunctival irritation is also common. It may be due to an allergic reaction, as in hayfever, or an irritant contact response.

Keratoconus (conical-shaped eyeball) is a rare condition which is occasionally associated with atopic dermatitis. It is due to degeneration and weakening of the cornea (the front of the eye) which results in pushing of the front of the eye outwards due to the normal pressure within the eyeball. It can result in marked visual disturbances and can be partially corrected by contact lenses. Onset of keratoconus is after childhood and progression is usually self-limited.

Cataracts can also occur in association with severe atopic dermatitis, usually around 15-25 years of age. They are almost always bilateral and may have a characteristic appearance on eye examination which helps distinguish them from other causes of cataract.

Retinal detachment is when part of the inner eye lining breaks away from the underlying structures. This is a very rare complication seen in association with atopic dermatitis.