Ocular Rosacea?

[Genevieve]

Hi everyone. I've had dry eyes for many years, but recently they've become much worse. The gel tears I was prescribed are pretty useless at the moment. I also have mild Rosacea and am now wondering if this is Ocular Rosacea. I saw an optician yesterday and she did the tear break-up time test where I scored only 3 seconds. I believe the normal score is 10-12 seconds before evaporation? I'm seeing my GP on Monday (I'm in the UK) and, while the optician recommended various eye drops, I'm wondering whether it might be best to see a specialist, considering the possible Rosacea connection. Anyway, so pleased to find this forum where I'm hoping for information and support.

[dryirisheyes]

Hi Genevieve, sorry to hear of your situation. How are you doing at the moment? I have had dry eye for many years and only recently diagnosed with Rosacea. Therefore I think the ocular rosacea was probably the first symptoms for me of rosacea a long time ago and I never made the connection. My TBUT is 3 in my left eye and 4 in my right so I totally know how you are feeling. I started Ikervis recently which seems to be reducing the inflammation in my eyes a bit (I am on week 3) while I am not sure it has helped with the dryness they definitely look a little less red which is a small bit of an impovement. Have you looked into any drops like these - I think Ikervis is available in the UK also (I am in Ireland). I am also on an antibiotic (a tetracycline I think) but I am only on day 10 of a 2 month course so early days for me. I was on doxycycline previously which definitely helped a bit I think. I think you should go to see an opthamologist - similar to you I had seen a few opticians but they can only really do so much an opthamologist can prescribe antibitoics and steriod drops etc if needed.

I have also started drinking 3 litres of water a day to see if that will make a difference previously I am not sure I was drinking enough water. Similar to you I am wondering if I should go to see a rosacea / skin specialist for further advice. I am not sure if I need to make some dietary changes perhaps - also contemplating an allergy / food intolerance test too to see if that makes a difference.

Let me know how you get on with an opthamologist - best of luck.

[MGD1701]

Hi Geneviene
Maybe this video useful for you -
A Roundtable Discussion featuring
Kendall Donaldson, MD (Moderator) with Elizabeth Yeu, MD, Preeya Gupta, MD and Neda Shamie, MD
these 4 females doctors recommend (pure) Hypochlorous Acid /Avenova and consider it is also useful for Rosacea.
Video from 21:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VshPAri8Ck

I could not get Aveonva nor Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser...both from USA
but found the alternative, NatraSan/made in UK, which helps me greatly.
Maybe you could do a bit research and learn WHY - curious??

[Faith1989]

MGD1701 I have been using Ocusoft Hypochlorous cleanser instead of Cliradex for a few weeks now and I think it MIGHT be working better! And is way cheaper too.

[MGD1701]

Hi Faith
Great that Ocusoft Hypochlorous might work better. Good luck!
For me, only pure HOCL like NatraSan works.

[hannsho]

Hi Genevieve,

If you have mild Rosacea, then you almost certainly have Ocular Rosacea - I have both and sympathize with you. One study that I read suggested that the co-occurrence of facial rosacea and ocular inflammatory processes is a test for the existence of ocular rosacea, which ophthalmologists do not always adequately diagnose. One of the reasons is that facial rosacea flare-ups may either occur before or after a flare-up of ocular rosacea and need not always occur at the same time. With your symptoms, I think it is advisable that you see a specialist. Ocular rosacea, which is sometimes described as posterior blepharitis, is a chronic disease, though there are ways to treat it! Sorry that that doesn't add up to very good news.