Ocular rosacea is a type of

rosacea Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels. Often, the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. A red, en ...

that affects the

eyes An eye is a sensory organ that allows an organism to perceive visual information. It detects light and converts it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons (neurones). It is part of an organism's visual system. In higher organisms, the ey ...

. Signs and symptoms generally consist of redness, irritation or burning of the eyes. Affected individuals may also feel that there is something, such as an

eyelash An eyelash (also called lash) (Neo-Latin: ''cilium'', plural ''cilia'') is one of the hairs that grows at the edges of the top and bottom eyelids, spanning outwards and away from the eyes. The lashes grow in up to six layers on each of the upper ...

, in the eye and frequently have redness of the nose and cheeks as well. Complications include

corneal ulcer Corneal ulcer, often resulting from keratitis is an inflammatory or, more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma. It is a common condition in humans part ...

. Those who have ocular rosacea may be treated with warm compresses, artificial tears and washing the area around the eye with warm water, including the eyelids, to help relieve symptoms. Additionally, oral

antibiotics An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting pathogenic bacteria, bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the therapy ...

, typically

doxycycline Doxycycline is a Broad-spectrum antibiotic, broad-spectrum antibiotic of the Tetracycline antibiotics, tetracycline class used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat pneumonia, bacterial p ...

, may be prescribed. Some people with ocular rosacea feel that dietary restrictions of

caffeine Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine chemical classification, class and is the most commonly consumed Psychoactive drug, psychoactive substance globally. It is mainly used for its eugeroic (wakefulness pr ...

, spicy foods, and

alcoholic beverage Drinks containing alcohol (drug), alcohol are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and Distilled beverage, spirits—with alcohol content typically between 3% and 50%. Drinks with less than 0.5% are sometimes considered Non-al ...

s may reduce or eliminate symptoms. Ocular rosacea may be caused by an overproliferation of the ''Demodex'' mites ''D. folliculorum'' and ''D. brevis'', both frequently referred to as "eyelash mites".

Treatment

Doxycycline Doxycycline is a Broad-spectrum antibiotic, broad-spectrum antibiotic of the Tetracycline antibiotics, tetracycline class used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat pneumonia, bacterial p ...

can be used in the treatment of ocular rosacea in dosages of 100 mg once or twice a day for a period of 2 to 3 months. Other studies report a good efficacy of 50 mg once a day in less severe cases. A formulation of 40 mg with a delayed release for long-term therapy can also be used. Side effects of treating ocular rosacea with doxycycline include nausea, vomiting, photosensitivity and headache, which may lead to premature discontinuation of treatment. After discontinuation of doxycycline, recurrences may occur within three months; therefore, many studies recommend either slow tapering or treatment with a lower dose over a longer period of time. Low-dose doxycycline (50 mg pe day or less) improves the clinical symptoms of rosacea by its anti-inflammatory effect rather than by its antibiotic effect.

References

Eye diseases Acneiform eruptions {{Disorders of skin appendages