Did you know that rosacea causes dry eye syndrome and that this is a recognized form of the disease called ocular rosacea?
This type of rosacea has a very damaging effect on the ocular surface which manifests in dry eyes, irritation, real discomfort.
If you suffer from this condition, you know how disabling it can be.
To understand this problem, we’ll briefly go over rosacea and what you can do to control it and soothe your eyes.
Contents
- 1 What is rosacea?
- 2 What are ocular rosacea symptoms?
- 3 What causes ocular rosacea?
- 4 Rosacea prevention
- 5 How to treat ocular rosacea?
- 6 Ocular rosacea and blepharitis
- 7 Ocular rosacea remedies
- 8 Ocular Rosacea essential oils
- 9 Ocular rosacea eyelid massage
- 10 Ocular rosacea can you go blind?
- 11 How to get rid of ocular rosacea?
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin condition that affects the sebaceous glands and causes redness.
It also sometimes manifests as acne, showing pimples on the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead.
But often this facial condition also affects the eyes.
What are ocular rosacea symptoms?
The most common symptoms of ocular rosacea are:
- redness
- a burning sensation
- a tear
- a foreign body sensation in the eye
Very often glands on the eyelids (Meibomian glands) become clogged and cause thickening, redness, and swelling at the base of the eyelashes.
Ocular rosacea can also lead to the frequent formation of chalazion and styes.
It is possible to suffer only from dermatological rosacea without effects on the eyes, just as it is possible to suffer only from ocular rosacea or a combination of both conditions.
What causes ocular rosacea?
The actual cause of rosacea remains unknown.
It is possible that a genetic factor is involved as it is possible that environmental factors are at its origin.
Some research points to the role of house dust mites while others point to the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria involved in stomach ulcers.
But the reality is that the cause is undefined.
Rosacea prevention
Preventing an episode of rosacea starts with avoiding extreme environments such as heat, and wind and avoiding extreme fatigue.
Your diet can also have an influence, as well as alcohol, spices, hot dishes, coffee or tea…
You need to individually determine which foods and drinks can trigger rosacea.
Furthermore, stress plays a major role in inflammation and can definitely activate your condition.
Finally, care products and make-up must be carefully selected so as not to exacerbate the disease.
How to treat ocular rosacea?
It is important to accept the follow-up of a dermatologist to treat facial rosacea if you also suffer from it.
For ocular rosacea, the first-line treatment is the prescription of an antibiotic (doxycycline) at low doses over a period of one to two months.
In this case, its prescription is not for the purpose of preventing infection but for its ability to modify and thin the Meibomian glands to restore normal function.
There follows a prescription of steroid eye drops to quickly reduce inflammation.
But its use must be very short-term because it can create cataracts, slow healing, and lead to glaucoma.
Antibiotic eye drops are also indicated, especially if the base of the eyelashes is infected.
Warm compresses are very useful in the context of ocular rosacea and especially if the Meibomian glands are clogged.
Indeed, they make it possible to thin the oily substance (lipids) which helps lubricate the eye.
Artificial tears counteract the dry eyes caused by the disease.
Finally, cyclosporin eye drops which have immunosuppressive properties can be prescribed in the long term for their powerful anti-inflammatory effect, which can improve the symptoms of severe dry eyes.
Ocular rosacea and blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition caused by ocular rosacea and inflammation of the eyelids.
It not only stems from this disease but can also be the result of:
– seborrheic dermatitis
– psoriasis
– menopause
– hormonal disorders
– inflammatory bowel disease
– wearing contact lenses
– excessive use of screens
Nevertheless, its symptoms include those found in ocular rosacea, resulting in:
- a burning sensation
- pink eyes
- a tear
- a feeling of a foreign body (sand in the eye)
- an altered vision
- photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- recurring styes
Ocular rosacea remedies
When we think of ocular rosacea, we know that it affects the sclera, the outer layer of the eyeball or the cornea, the first lens of the eye, and the eyelids.
We can consider a vascular problem, an abnormality in the blood circulation in the eye, which leads to chronic inflammation.
We can then conclude to an autoimmune disorder.
Some symptoms include pain, swelling, and blurred vision, and the treatment focuses on the prescription of antibiotics or corticosteroids which do not address the origin of the problem.
The mechanism of ocular rosacea leads to swollen eyelids and dysfunctional meibomian glands, which compromise tear production and corneal hydration.
And a painful and severe dry eyes symptom comes.
Alternative processing methods exist.
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Ocular rosacea eye drops
Combine homeopathic eye drops and eyelid massage or eye bath six to eight times a day.
These eye drops are totally natural and don’t contain harsh chemicals.
These Similasan eye drops (#ad) provide incomparable comfort.
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Hot Compress
Warm eye compresses morning and evening are a must.
You can even get a heating mask like this one (#ad), much more practical for treating Meibomian glands and dry eyes than the compresses recommended by the ophthalmologist.
These two simple methods will improve symptoms very quickly by reducing inflammation and irritation.
You will quickly be soothed without having to suffer the side effects of allopathic drugs and eye drops.
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Ocular rosacea diet
Make sure you get enough fats and oils with your meals.
Take some Omega 3 fish oil (#ad) at a rate of 1000 to 1500mg per day.
Your diet should become anti-inflammatory with high levels of antioxidants.
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Turmeric
Take a turmeric supplement as its anti-inflammatory properties will greatly benefit you.
Consider 500mg per day of a high absorption turmeric supplement like this (#ad)
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Probiotics
It is also possible to connect an ocular rosacea problem to digestive and especially intestinal disorders.
Consider taking complete probiotics combined with prebiotics (#ad) for better effectiveness.
Remember that the intestinal flora is the heart of the immune system and its impact can affect visual health.
Ocular Rosacea essential oils
Essential oils are used to oxygenate, hydrate, and stimulate blood circulation.
Three are vital for eye health:
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Frankincense Essential Oil
Just drop a few drops into your massage oil twice a day.
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Lemon Essential Oil
Place two or three drops on the soles of your feet twice a day.
-
Vetiver essential oil
Drop 3-4 drops of vetiver oil (#ad) on the neck node chain twice a day.
Natural treatment takes just as long as medical treatment and results are visible after about half a year.
Ocular rosacea eyelid massage
It is essential to perform a precise massage of the eyelids to reactivate the Meibomian glands and restore hydration to the eyes as soon as possible.
There is no more soothing solution in the early days, regardless of treatment.
Apply this daily massage for a week every day.
Next week, do it every other day.
Then, the following week, proceed to a single massage which this time becomes weekly until healing.
The massage should be precise and careful.
Start with a warm compress on each eye for 5 minutes.
You can forget the compresses if you perform this massage right after a shower.
Using your index finger, follow the base of the eyelashes from the angle of the nose outward, pressing lightly.
Do this for the lower and upper eyelids ten times in a row then rinse your eyes with a saline solution.
This releases the lipids that have accumulated in the glands and blocks the production of tears.
You reactivate the normal mechanism of hydration of the eyes. It’s crucial.
Ocular rosacea can you go blind?
It is important to treat ocular rosacea and at least minimize its symptoms because it can get complicated.
Its attack on the eyes and eyelids causes damage over time that can, in the most extreme cases, lead to blindness.
Also, the diagnosis and follow-up of an ophthalmologist are essential, even if your heart swings towards natural medicine.
How to get rid of ocular rosacea?
If you provide consistent prevention by avoiding triggers and starting a strategic routine at home, you can overcome ocular rosacea.
You will be able to stem the most bothersome symptoms and restore your visual acuity very quickly.
Nevertheless, this condition is recurrent and you will be forced to return to the care routine periodically.
As difficult to heal as facial rosacea, ocular rosacea is an autoimmune disease that permanently affects the eyes and is only temporarily forgotten.
Read also:
How to treat skin rosacea naturally
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