Rosacea

Nutrition Health Review, Fall, 2003

Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects many Americans, but it can also spread to the eyes and cause a constant gritty, burning sensation. Persons with ocular rosacea may also experience inflamed or scaly eyelids.

Normal tears consist of three layers: mucus, water and salt, and an outer layer of fatty oils that smooth the tear surface and retard evaporation of the watery layer. Ocular rosacea can affect the composition and effectiveness of the layer of fatty oils, resulting in irritation. In extreme cases, the cornea can become scarred.

Ocular rosacea is usually treated with a low-dose of antibiotic, such as tetracycline or doxycycline, but relief sometimes comes after cleansing and treating scaly eyelids with warm water compresses.