Logo
Give Your Eyes a Little Bit of Heaven!
 | 
Office Hours
Untitled 1

Ocular Rosacea
Rosacea is a dermatologic condition that affects the nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, and glabella (the area between the eyes and above the nose). More than 50% of patients with rosacea have ocular manifestations.

Ocular rosacea manifestations are essentially confined to the eyelids and ocular surface. Problems range from minor irritation, dryness, and blurry vision to potentially severe ocular surface disruption and inflammatory keratitis. Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are the most common findings in patients with ocular rosacea

If we suspect an ocular condition or disease,
we will immediately schedule or perform
diagnostic tests to determined our next steps.

Other ocular findings include lid margin and conjunctival telangiectasias (curly-cue blood vessels), eyelid crusting and scales, punctuate epithelial erosions, corneal infiltrates, corneal ulcers, and vascularization. Sight-threatening disease is rare with rosacea; however, keratitis can result in sterile corneal ulceration and eventual perforation if not treated aggressively.

The symptoms of rosacea can be treated effectively. Since rosacea is a chronic condition with exacerbations and remissions, long-term therapy to maintain symptomatic control is required.
ocular rosacea.jpg
 

Ocular rosacea is a syndrome of unknown cause. It is commonly misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. It usually has no previous family or personal history. It occurs at the greatest frequency in the 30- to 70- year age range, but may also be found in pediatric patients. Women are affected with rosacea twice as often as men. More than 10% of the general population exhibits dermatologic characteristics of rosacea; of these, up to 60% experience ocular complications. Approximately 5% of patients with rosacea manifest corneal disease, which may be severe and can lead to blindness via corneal ulceration, secondary infections, or corneal opacification from vascularization.

Usually, there exists a history of recurrent lid problems such as “styes”, chalazia, hordeoli, and chronic marginal blepharitis. Symptoms are usually synonymous with the level of involvement and associated complications. This is not contagious!

Treatment consists of daily lid hygiene. Hot compresses applied to the eyelid margins can help to liquefy the thick meibomian gland secretions and, thus, facilitate their expression. Mild, nonirritating cleaning solutions, such as diluted baby shampoo or commercially prepared eyelid scrubs, can be applied to the eyelids to remove clogging debris. Additionally, light pressure applied to the eyelids can aid in gland expression. Preservative free artificial tears should be used liberally throughout the day and, if necessary, a lubricating ointment may be used at night. Antibiotics may prove to be useful. Oral medications such as tetracycline, erythromycin, and topical skin creams such as metronidazole may be considered under doctor’s supervision. Topically, steroid drops have been proven helpful to reduce inflammation. Recently, newer topical drop therapy using AzaSite, Blephamide, Tobradex and Restasis may be used concurrently to create a greater effect.



OFFICE HOURS    
Mon
*8:15 - 5:30
Tue
*8:15 - 5:30
Wed
*8:15 - 5:30
Thu
*8:15 - 5:30
*Closed for lunch 1:00 - 1:45
Fri
Closed
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
300 Association Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
Map it!

(304) 342-5900
Facebook   Twitter   Instagram
Greenbrier Vision Center, Inc. 300 Association Drive Charleston, WV 25311 Phone: (304) 342-5900 Fax: (304) 342-6257

Greenbrier Vision Center proudly serves Charleston, WV and the surrounding areas of Dunbar, Sissonville, Big Chimney, Chelyan, St. Albans, Scott Depot, Kenna, Branchland and Kanawha Falls.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health programs and activities. As of October 16, 2016, regulations require most optometry practices to prominently display their non-discrimination policy at their physical location, on their website homepage, and on all significant communications and publications, all of which must include taglines, in the 15 most prevalent non-English languages in the state, stating the non-discrimination policy of the practice.

Nondiscrimination Statement

© 2024 All content is the property of Greenbrier Vision Center, Inc. ™ & assoc. vendors.
Website Powered and Developed by EyeVertise.com