A diagnosis that is a sight for sore eyes

Ocular rosacea is a common and often misdiagnosed condition, which can cause severe discomfort and visual loss.
Associate Professor Celia Chen

Need to know:

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects the skin of the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.1,2 Ocular involvement occurs in up to 58% of rosacea cases.3 Importantly, up to 20% of patients will have ocular rosacea without cutaneous disease.3 Patients with ocular rosacea often present to their GP complaining of chronic eye irritation. 

Ocular rosacea remains a diagnostic challenge; it is often misdiagnosed due to the non-specific symptoms and clinical findings that can present without skin involvement. This may result in inappropriate and delayed treatment.4,5 

About a third of ocular rosacea cases are associated with corneal involvement that can be sight-threatening.6 Early intervention is key in preventing permanent vision loss.7,8