The disease rosacea is usually thought to affect the skin, causing redness, inflammation and pimples. But it can also affect the eyes. According to the International Rosacea Foundation, ocular (eye-related) rosacea affects about 82 percent of people who have facial rosacea. Ocular rosacea can cause your eyes to feel like there's something in them. The burning and gritty feeling is constant, your eyelids can become inflamed and swollen and eyelashes sometimes fall out. According to the University of Iowa Medical School, the condition usually affects older people (ages 51 to 60 years). Men and women are equally at risk.
Blepharitis
People with ocular rosacea can also get blepharitis, which causes people's eyelids to become red and develop scales and crusts. It's an inflammatory condition that causes itching, burning and irritation of the eyelids. If you have blepharitis it's important to keep your eyelids and eye lashes clean . There is no cure for blepharitis but it can be controlled with treatment.
Conjunctivitis
This inflammation of the conjunctiva, or the inner lining of the eyelid, is sometimes called pink eye. It's very common and at least one person in 50 visits a doctor because of conjuctivitis, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). It's another symptom of ocular rosacea that causes redness, itching, crusty discharge and sometimes sensitivity to light.
Iritis
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye, and/or several other parts of the eye. Also called uveitis, the symptoms of this common aspect of ocular rosacea include sensitivity to light, blurry vision and pain. Treatment includes corticosteroid eye drops and monitoring the inflammation with a slit lamp. According to the AMA, sometimes eye drops are used that block the nerve impulses to the muscle of the iris.
Keratitis
Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea. It's one of the more serious conditions that occurs with ocular rosacea and can lead to blindness if not treated. Symptoms include sensitivity to light, eye pain and blurry vision. Treatment includes antibacterial or antifungal eye drops for minor infections, or intense antibiotics and steroid eye drops for severe infections.
Stye
A stye is a bump that forms on the upper or lower eyelid. It's a pus-filled abscess caused by infection. A washcloth soaked in warm water applied to the lid for five minutes several times a day can help the stye come to a head and drain. Antibiotic eye ointment can help prevent styes from returning.
References
- International Rosacea Foundation
- University of Iowa Medical School
- "Encyclopedia of Medicine;" The American Medical Association; 1989
