When the eyes are affected with rosacea, what treatments are recommended?
Ocular rosacea has been reported in up to 58% of people with rosacea, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Ocular rosacea symptoms may include: dryness, irritation, itch, burning, foreign body sensation, light intolerance. The treatment of ocular rosacea generally depends on its extent and severity. Consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist is helpful and important especially in more severe cases. Treatment strategies for mild ocular rosacea may include: artificial tears (for lubrication), use of a humidifier in the home or work environments, eyelid hygiene (i.e. cleaning the lids with warm water twice daily), and topical antibiotics applied to lid margins. For more severe cases, oral antibiotics are often prescribed to reduce eyelid and corneal inflammation. If left untreated, symptoms can progress to vision loss and corneal perforation which may ultimately require surgical repair.
