Treatment Options for Ocular Rosacea

More than 14 million Americans have rosacea, an acne-like skin disease that causes redness and tiny bumps on the face. At least half of those individuals have ocular rosacea, an eye condition that often accompanies the skin-related symptoms of rosacea.

Ocular rosacea affects the tiny oil-producing glands in your eyelids, causing an array of unpleasant symptoms. Like the dermatological form of the disease, ocular rosacea won’t go away on its own, and without proper treatment, it can get a lot worse over time.

The good news: At Rostami OPC, Soheila Rostami, MD, uses a patient-centered approach to ocular rosacea care. Voted a Northern Virginia Top Doc for 2021, Dr. Rostami customizes each treatment plan to relieve symptoms and prevent eye damage in patients at her Reston, Virginia, practice.

If you have ocular rosacea, here’s how Dr. Rostami can help you.

Symptoms of ocular rosacea

People with ocular rosacea typically have symptoms like:

• Reddish or pink eyes
• Eyes that burn or feel gritty
• Dry eyes
• Watery eyes
• Sensation of something “sticking” in your eye
• Red or swollen eyelid margins
• Clogged eyelid oil glands
• Styes or chalazions (pus-filled bump on your lid margin)

Many people think that if they don’t have the skin-related symptoms of rosacea (flushing, redness, and pus-filled bumps), they can’t have ocular rosacea. Actually, you can have ocular rosacea without having any skin symptoms. 

If you have the symptoms listed above, the only way to know for sure whether you might have ocular rosacea is to have an eye exam. During your exam, Dr. Rostami examines your eyes and your lids, as well as reviewing your symptoms, to determine if you have ocular rosacea.

Ocular rosacea treatment options

There’s no cure for ocular rosacea, but the disease and its symptoms can be managed. Dr. Rostami offers several approaches to treatment to help patients receive the best care based on their evolving symptoms. 

Depending on your own symptoms, your treatment might include:

• Ointments to heal eyelid infections
• Eye drops to reduce redness and inflammation
• Artificial tears to combat dry eye symptoms
• Eyelid scrubs or sprays
• Warm compresses

Ocular rosacea is more than just uncomfortable. Without proper medical treatment, eyelid infections can become severe, even spreading to other parts of your face and body. When oil glands don’t work properly, your tear film can be affected, leading to corneal damage and eye infections.

Regular eye exams are important for diagnosing ocular rosacea and for managing its symptoms over time. During regular exams, Dr. Rostami can adjust your treatment to make sure your symptoms stay under control and your eyes and vision remain healthy.

Learn more about ocular rosacea treatment

In its early stages, it’s easy to confuse ocular rosacea symptoms with the symptoms of allergies or traditional dry eye. Trying to self-medicate with over-the-counter drops just delays proper treatment and allows the underlying disease to get worse.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, the best way to avoid potential eye damage is to schedule an eye exam, so Dr. Rostami can determine what’s causing your symptoms. To arrange your exam, call or book an appointment online today.