Prevalence of Signs & Symptoms of Ocular Rosacea

Article: Researchers Define Keys to Recognizing Ocular Rosacea
Source: National Rosacea Society
Published: January 25, 2022

Blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction,
corneal scarring and neovascularization
in an eye with ocular rosacea

Although a disease that primarily affects the skin, acne rosacea can also have ocular surface manifestations, then considered ocular rosacea. The National Rosacea Society calls attention to two studies that examine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea, and encourages the importance of being seen by an ophthalmologist for treatment when vision is threatened. In one study, researchers used slit lamp microscopy, OCT-assisted meibography, and OSDI symptoms survey to evaluate the right eyes of 76 patients with ocular rosacea, and compared them with those of 113 healthy control subjects. Study results showed that compared to control eyes, the eyes of patients with ocular rosacea had significantly higher tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer 2, and meibomography scores. In terms of symptoms, compared to control subjects, patients with ocular rosacea reported more foreign body sensation (24.8% vs. 53.9%), itching (17.7% vs. 35.5%), dryness (10.6% vs. 46.1% ), meibomitis (31% vs. 52.6%), and overwhelmingly more conjunctival telangiectasia (1.8% vs. 26.3% ). The authors note that only conjunctival telangiectasia was found to be an independent predictor of acne rosacea diagnosis, leading them to recommend slit lamp examination to detect conjunctival telangiectasia. A second study from Argentina highlights the importance of prompt treatment of ocular rosacea to prevent impacting vision. Among the 51 rosacea patients in that study, 38 (74.4%) had ocular manifestations of erythema and eyelid margin telangiectasia, all but one of the 38 had meibomian gland dysfunction, and 15 of whom suffered vision-threatening complications, including corneal neovascularization and corneal scarring (leukoma). Patients with the lowest visual acuity also had the most severe dermatological presentation, suggesting a relationship of severity of ocular involvement and certain subtypes of dermatological disease. That study also found that ocular rosacea can coexist with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), in two patients. Taken together, these two studies report about the prevalence of signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea, both the more common manifestations and the less common presentations.

My rating of this study: ⭐⭐

Ozturk T, Kayabasi M, Ozbagcivan O, et al. "Common ocular findings in patients with acne rosacea." International Ophthalmology.  42:1077-1084. 2 November 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-02093-5

Saá FL, Cremona F and Chiaradia P. "Association Between Skin Findings and Ocular Signs in Rosacea." Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology. 51(6):338-343. 28 December 2021. https://doi.org/10.4274/tjo.galenos.2021.05031