Ocular Compromise Among Patients With Rosacea

Ocular signs in patients with rosacea are common, according to a recent study published in the Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology.

Researchers performed a descriptive, observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study to report the prevalence, clinical signs, and therapeutic modalities for ocular rosacea. The study also attempted to identify which skin phenotypes are associated with more severe ocular disease. A total of 51 patients diagnosed with rosacea by a dermatologist were evaluated by an ocular surface specialist and a complete ophthalmological examination was performed.

A total of 74.5% of patients with rosacea had ocular signs. Patients were an average age of 50 years and women were more affected than men. Lid margin erythema, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis were the most common findings. Decreased visual acuity due to leukoma and corneal neovascularization, which are complications related to rosacea, was observed in 15 patients. Patients with the lowest visual acuity presented with signs of papules and pustules and rhinophyma. Researchers reported 2 cases of subepithelial fibrosis and fornix foreshortening as a result of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

“Our study shows that there might be a relationship between the severity of ocular involvement and specific cutaneous signs,” concluded the study authors. “On the other hand, rosacea and ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid may coexist. In patients presenting with conjunctival fibrotic changes, we believe that a diagnostic biopsy is imperative,” they added.

Reference
Saá FL, Cremona F, Chiaradia P. Association Between Skin Findings and Ocular Signs in Rosacea. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2021;51(6):338-343. doi:10.4274/tjo.galenos.2021.05031