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Ocular rosacea or rosacea of the eyes (ophthalmic) cannot be cured, like facial rosacea. Both types of rosacea can be very painful and visible because of the sufferer’s red eyes and face. Ocular rosacea affects close to 50 percent of those that suffer from facial rosacea.

Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Dryness
• Blurred vision
• Photosensitivity
• Itching
• Tearing
• Pain
• Swollen eye lids

This condition should be treated by a doctor–specifically an ophthalmologist or a dermatologist–in order to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with rosacea. Rosacea is not life threatening and although it is rare, ignoring it could lead to impaired vision, even blindness and cornea damage.

Rosacea is associated with your vascular system or the flow of blood throughout your body. Typically a doctor will prescribe both an internal and an external form of treatment for severe cases of ocular rosacea, which includes an antibiotic like tetracycline along with eye drops and/or a skin cream that will fight bacteria. These treatments don’t eliminate rosacea from your body, but it will eliminate the bacteria present to reduce the symptoms.

In addition to the drugs prescribed by a doctor it is important that you identify your triggers–for example, cold weather, spicy foods, stress–and then modify your diet and routine to avoid them. It is also important to use skin care products designed for rosacea and sensitive skin. Visit SkinFitnessFacts.com to learn more about the available products.