The Ocular Symptoms of Rosacea

It has been estimated that as many as 50% of patients with rosacea may experience ocular related symptoms of rosacea. To date no definitive correlation has been found to exist between the severity of the ocular occurrence and the severity of the symptoms of facial rosacea.

The ocular symptoms of rosacea are essentially confined to the eyelids and ocular surface. Symptoms may range from minor irritation to potentially severe ocular surface disruption and inflammatory keratitis.

The symptoms of ocular rosacea can be treated effectively; one element to this treatment is Rosacea-Ltd.

Treating Ocular Rosacea Symptoms

Many rosacea sufferers develop the ocular form of rosacea in addition to facial symptoms. Fortunately, the effects of ocular rosacea can be successfully controlled with proper care.

Ocular rosacea symptoms may appear as simply a watery or bloodshot appearance in the eyes. Some patients may feel as though there is something in their eyes, or have a dry, burning or stinging sensation. In severe cases, ocular rosacea may include swollen blood vessels; inflammation of the eyelid, iris or the whites of the eyes; sties or cysts, and in severe cases even loss of vision.

A number of steps can be taken to help soothe the eyes and prevent irritation and discomfort:

1) Clean carefully the area surrounding the eye. Just as with a facial rosacea care routine, daily eye care starts with removing all eye makeup, using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and rinsing with lukewarm water several times to make sure the eye area is completely clean. Blot dry gently with a soft cotton towel. After the eye area air-dries for a few moments, use a gentle moisturizer such as jojoba oil on the lids and underneath the eyes.

2) If eye dryness or a gritty feeling is a problem, you may benefit from using a special agent to moisten the eyes. Preservative-free artificial tears applied several times a day can help eliminate that dry, gritty feeling.

3) Apply warm compresses and gently massage the eyelids. Not only will this feel refreshing, but massaging the eyelids will help loosen any debris in the tear glands and stimulate circulation. This can be especially soothing after a long day at work, or being outside in the cold and wind.

4) Wear UV sunglasses outdoors. They protect your eyes from harmful rays of the sun, and act as a shield against wind and other elements. Sunglasses without UV protection may actually make the condition worse.

5) Increase you water intake. The eye is over 90% water and a lack of adequate water intake will result in dry, red and irritated eyes.

6) The tan Rosacea-Ltd disk may be applied too the eyelid area to calm the redness and burning in the eyes. This can be done either by leaving the eyelid area damp after cleansing and gliding the diskover the closed upper eyelid and to the skin below the eye or by rubbing the disk over the damp fingertip and then patting it gently above and below the eye.

Ocular Rosacea Symptoms

Ocular Rosacea is an inflammation of the eyes which can result in a burning or sandy feeling in the eyes. Ocular rosacea may also appear as red, inflamed and swollen eyelids with small bumps and a bloodshot appearance. The ocular symptoms are completely separate from the facial symptoms of rosacea. It is reported that 50 to 60% of all rosacea sufferers also have some sort of symptoms with their eyes which is known as ocular rosacea.  In severe ocular rosacea, it is not uncommon to have a corneal infection which, if untreated, may even lead to perforation of the eye.

The Occurrence of Styes in Ocular Rosacea

Sties may occur in ocular rosacea. Styes, sties or simply spelled “sty”, is a bacterial based pimple caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which is a type bacteria commonly found in the human nose. Sties may also be the result of a clogged pore or hair follicle. Styes are often mistaken for chalazions. Styes can be painful and are the approximate size of a regular acne pimple.

The best treatment for a sty is a warm compress. Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your lids for 5 minutes, four times a day. Within a few days the infection will either die down or come to a head and drain.

Other ocular complications of rosacea include blepharitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, Iridocyclitis, Hypopyoniritis, Chalazian and dry eye syndrome. The ocular complications of rosacea are separate from the severity of facial rosacea. The most frequent symptoms of ocular rosacea are reoccurring inflammation in the corners of the eyelids with scales and crusts.

Treatment of ocular rosacea and styes, require a highly motivated patient. A dermatologist treats the direct impact of rosacea on the skin but is not trained in the treatment of rosacea involving the eyes. An ophthalmologist specializes in the treatment of eye conditions does not always link this to a co-coordinating treatment for rosacea manifestations of the skin. Many ophthalmologists feel that treating ocular rosacea conditions with antibiotics produce the same results in the same amount of time as not treating the ocular symptoms at all. For this reason there is a growing trend not to treat ocular conditions with medication but to simply let it run its course.

What is Ocular Rosacea

The ophthalmic signs of ocular rosacea can vary widely, including  a gritty, sandy or burning feeling in the eyes. Inflammation or swelling eyelids may be present.  In some instances the eyelashes that may fall out, or you may experience a bloodshot appearance to the eyes. Pain and abnormal sensitivity to light may be present. The ocular complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea.

50 to 60% of all rosacea sufferers also have ocular rosacea. Approximately 20 percent of ocular rosacea problems occur prior to the typical skin related rosacea symptoms though it is more normal for the skin symptoms to appear first.

The Treatment Of Ocular Rosacea

Ocular rosacea is an eye inflammation which may occur with rosacea. Ocular rosacea can cause a burning sensation along with a sandy feeling in the eyes,  inflammation of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, loss of eye lashes, or a bloodshot appearance to the eyes. Pain and sensitivity to light may be present.

One treatment that has shown some positive results in treating ocular rosacea is Rosacea-Ltd. This treatment is composed on basic minerals compressed into a disk or block shape. The disk is applied by gently gliding it over the eyelid. Results are normally seen within 7 to 10 days.

Types of Ocular Rosacea - The Dry Eye Syndrome

The dry eye syndrome is an ocular condition that may occur with rosacea. Dye eye syndrome is often treated with non-preserved artificial tears, as often as 4 times a day or more. Keeping the body well hydrated can aid in reducing the occurrence of dye eye syndrome.  Other more drastic ocular treatments may involve closure of the tear drainage ducts, which is accomplished with silicone plugs, which are reversible, or punctal cautery which is a more permanent ocular treatment involving burning of the tear duct openings.

The ocular complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea.