Ocular rosacea: Recent advances in pathogenesis and therapy

© 2015 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.Ocular rosacea forms part of the clinical spectrum of rosacea. It is characterized by a chronic and recurrent inflammation of the eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea. Approximately 50% of rosacea patients present ocular manifestations, and the condition is most frequently diagnosed when cutaneous signs and symptoms are present. However in 20% of patients, ocular manifestations may precede the cutaneous disease. Most frequent ocular symptoms are: red eyes, burning, foreign body sensation, photophobia and blurred vision. Chronic blepharitis with meibomian gland dysfunction is the most frequent ocular manifestation of the disease, and produces evaporative dry eye with consequent ocular surface damage. Corneal inflammation and scarring may be a cause of severe visual loss. In addition to therapeutic strategies for the cutaneous disease, ocular rosacea treatment involves, lid hygiene, topical macrolides and tetracyclines as eyelid gels or ointments, lubricant eye drops, and short-term topical steroids, depending on the severity of blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis. Prognosis and visual outcome depend on the severity of the disease, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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