Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the face, but did you know it could lead to issues with your eyes too? Ocular rosacea is inflammation that causes redness, burning, and itching of the eyes. This version of rosacea can sometimes be the first sign that you will later develop the facial type. At Stone Canyon Eye Care in St. George, UT, we are committed to helping people address this condition and get treatment for it.

book an appointment

What Causes Ocular Rosacea?

There is no specific cause for ocular rosacea, but there are some factors that are believed to influence it. These include environmental aspects, heredity, bacteria, eyelash mites, and blocked eyelid glands. A lot of the same things that aggravate rosacea on the skin can also aggravate the ocular version of this condition. These factors are most commonly things like alcohol, extreme temperatures, spicy foods, strenuous exercise, saunas, and stress.

How is This Condition Treated?

There is no cure for ocular rosacea, so the goal is to manage the condition and reduce its impact on your life. There are medications that can help do that, and you will also need a good eye care routine to make controlling symptoms easier. Avoiding the triggers for your ocular rosacea can take some trial and error, and it may not always be possible to pinpoint everything that can cause a flare-up. Speaking with your optometrist can help reduce these occurrences.

What Will Your Optometrist Do to Help?

Your optometrist will work with you to reduce the chances of vision loss due to ocular rosacea. This condition often affects the cornea, which is the surface of your eye. It is particularly common if you have dry eyes and strong tear evaporation. That can lead to problems with your vision, and can sometimes result in a loss of vision. You may also experience inflammation of your eyelids, which can cause secondary irritation. Your optometrist will provide you treatment options to help.

The doctors at Stone Canyon eye care can use a special treatment called “Intense Pulsed Light” to treat ocular rosacea that can lead to dropout of precious oil glands in the eyelids called meibomian glands. This precious oil keeps our eyes from drying up. Intense pulsed light is one of many ways doctors at Stone Canyon Eye Care can help treat dry eye syndrome.

Get in Touch for Diagnosis and Treatment Today

Do not let ocular rosacea ruin your vision, so get in touch with us at Stone Canyon Eye Care in St. George, UT, and get the treatment you need. Call us at (435) 214-0942 to schedule an appointment and protect your vision today.