The Signs And Symptoms of Ocular Rosacea

To understand the overall picture of rosacea, one must consider the ocular aspect of rosacea and it's impact on the rosacea sufferer.

Ocular Rosacea is an inflammatory eye condition often associated with acne rosacea. Ocular rosacea can cause a persistent burning or gritty feeling in the eyes. For others, ocular rosacea manifests itself as inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes that may fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes (Dr. Thiboutot). The ophthalmic signs of ocular rosacea can vary widely, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. (These conditions will be described in detail below.) The term ophthalmic or ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The most frequent signs, which may never progress to a more severe condition, are chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts, quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which ocular rosacea is often confused. Pain and photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light) may be present. The ocular complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea (Drs. Gerd Plewig & Albert M. Kligman).

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 one study (Starr, McDonald 1969) it was found that ocular rosacea symptoms occurred in 58% of patients.

Sometimes (perhaps 20% of the time) ocular rosacea problems occur prior to the typical skin related rosacea symptoms though it is more usual (about 53% of the time) for the skin symptoms to appear first. (Borrie, 1953).

Ocular rosacea patients generally have chronically "bloodshot" eyes, dry eyes, and blepharitis (inflammation and debris of the eyelid margins). In severe ocular rosacea, there may be corneal ulceration (infection) which, if untreated, may even lead to perforation of the eye. This can be a potentially blinding complication.