Ocular rosacea is a manifestation 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, enlarge ...

that affects the eyes and

eyelid An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. The human eyel ...

s. 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) (Latin: ''Cilia'') is one of the hairs that grows at the edge of the eyelids. It grows in one layer on the edge of the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris, dust, and small particles and p ...

, in the eye and frequently have redness of the nose and cheeks as well. Those who have ocular rosacea may be treated with

warm compresses A warm compress is a method of applying heat to the body. Heating sources can include warm water, microwaveable pads, wheat packs and electrical or chemical pads. Some unorthodox methods can include warmed potatoes, uncooked rice, and hard-boiled ...

artificial tear Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops used to relieve dryness and irritation of the ocular surface. Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a common ocular surface disorder and is characterized by disruption of the tear film and inc ...

s 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 bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention o ...

, typically

doxycycline Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline class antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat bacterial pneumonia, acne, chlamydia infections, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus, an ...

, 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 class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine t ...

, spicy foods, and

alcoholic beverage An alcoholic beverage (also called an alcoholic drink, adult beverage, or a drink) is a drink that contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that acts as a drug and is produced by fermentation of grains, fruits, or other sources of sugar. The c ...

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".

Notes

* Kunimoto, Derek Y, et al. ''The Wills Eye Manual, 4th ed.'' Lippincott, Philadelphia.2004.

References

External links

emedicine
Eye diseases Acneiform eruptions {{Cutaneous-condition-stub