Ocular Rosacea – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Ocular rosacea causes eye inflammation. Symptoms like redness, burning, and itching often show up. It often appears in people who have facial rosacea, but sometimes the eye symptoms show up first.
This condition typically affects adults between ages 30 and 50. People who tend to flush or blush easily are especially prone to it.
People with ocular rosacea can’t be completely cured, but the condition can be managed effectively. A combination of medications and proper eye care helps control symptoms and prevent complications.
Treatment plans typically include:
- Prescribed medications
- Regular eye cleaning routines
- Avoiding triggers
- Using artificial tears as needed
While persistent, ocular rosacea symptoms can be minimized with consistent care and medical supervision.
Signs and Symptoms
Ocular rosacea affects the eyes and can occur before, during, or after skin rosacea symptoms appear. Sometimes it happens on its own without any skin involvement. The eyes may show various symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
Common eye symptoms include:
- Redness, burning, itching, or watery eyes
- Dry eyes
- Gritty sensation or feeling like something is in your eye
- Blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Visible tiny blood vessels on the white part of the eye
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Recurring infections (like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, sties, or chalazia)
The severity of eye symptoms doesn’t always match how severe the skin symptoms are. Some people may have mild skin rosacea but significant eye problems, or vice versa.
When to See a Doctor
Visit your doctor if you experience any eye symptoms like redness, burning sensations, itchiness, dryness, or blurred vision. These could indicate ocular rosacea or other eye conditions that need treatment.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with skin rosacea, ask your doctor about getting regular eye exams. Regular check-ups can help catch ocular rosacea early, even if you don’t notice symptoms yet.
Causes
Scientists don’t know exactly what causes ocular rosacea. Several factors may play a role in developing this eye condition:
- Genetics: The condition may run in families.
- Environment: External factors like weather conditions.
- Bacteria: Possible connections to certain bacteria, including H. pylori (which causes stomach infections).
- Blocked Eyelid Glands: Can contribute to eye irritation.
- Eyelash Mites: Tiny organisms that live on skin.
Many things that trigger skin rosacea can also worsen eye symptoms. Common triggers include:
- Spicy foods and hot drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Exposure to harsh weather (sun, wind, extreme temperatures)
- Emotional responses like stress or anger
- Heavy exercise
- Hot environments like saunas or baths
Risk Factors
Ocular rosacea commonly occurs in individuals who have skin rosacea, though it can develop without skin symptoms. While skin rosacea affects more women than men, ocular rosacea impacts both genders equally.
People with fair skin, particularly those of Celtic or Northern European ancestry, face a higher risk of developing this condition.
Complications
Ocular rosacea can damage the cornea (eye surface), especially in people with dry eyes. This damage may cause vision problems.
When eyelids become inflamed (blepharitis), it can irritate the cornea due to:
- Misaligned eyelashes
- Tear film disruption
- Ongoing inflammation
Without proper treatment, these issues may worsen over time. In severe cases, ocular rosacea can lead to partial or complete vision loss.
