Overview
Eye rosacea
Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the eyes and the surrounding skin. This condition, often associated with the broader skin disease rosacea, can cause significant ocular morbidity if not diagnosed and managed appropriately. Despite its prevalence, ocular rosacea frequently goes undiagnosed due to the absence of specific tests and the nonspecific nature of its symptoms, which can overlap with other ophthalmic conditions. This essay will explore the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ocular rosacea, providing a detailed understanding of this condition.
Rosacea is a common skin condition characterized by mid-facial flushing, redness, prominent blood vessels, swelling, papules, and pustules. Ocular rosacea is a subtype of rosacea that affects the eyes, specifically the eyelids and the front of the eye. This condition includes various manifestations such as blepharitis, conjunctival hyperemia, and rosacea-associated keratitis. Ocular rosacea can be particularly challenging to diagnose because its symptoms can mimic other ocular disorders and may not correlate with the severity of cutaneous rosacea.
Epidemiology
Ocular rosacea affects adult males and females equally, with studies reporting an average age at presentation of around 56 years. It is uncommon in children and typically begins after the age of 30. While it usually occurs in patients with existing facial rosacea, ocular rosacea can sometimes be the first sign of the disease. It tends to occur in individuals with facial flushing and may affect people of various ethnic backgrounds, although it is more commonly seen in fair-skinned individuals of Western European descent.
