OCULAR ROSACEA - PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS AND FOLLOW-UP

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to review the presenting sympto ms and signs, treatment regimens used, complications encountered, and outcome in a cohort of patients with ocular rosacea, Methods: The medi cal records of 131 patients with a diagnosis of ocular rosacea were re viewed retrospectively. Data were entered in a tabulated form, and a d escriptive analysis was performed. Results: The age range at presentat ion was between 23, and 85 years (mean, 56 years). Cutaneous manifesta tions of rosacea were present in 112 of the patients at their first vi sit. The most common presenting symptoms were foreign body sensation a nd burning, and the most common signs were telangiectasia and irregula rity of lid margins, and meibomian gland dysfunction, Thirteen patient s had decreased visual acuity at the time of presentation due to corne al complications. Six of these patients required penetrating keratopla sty during the course of their disease. Seven patients had severe cica trizing conjunctivitis at the time of referral. One hundred thirteen p atients were treated with oral tetracycline derivatives. Seven patient s were left with visual acuity less than 20/400, and one patient under went enucleation for corneal perforation and endophthalmitis. Conclusi ons: Ocular rosacea is a common disease involving the skin and the eye s, It is widely underdiagnosed by many ophthalmologists despite the bl inding potential. Successful therapy requires a multidisciplinary appr oach.