Ocular Manifestations of Patients With Cutaneous Rosacea With and Without Demodex Infection

Abstract

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease of the central facial skin and is of unknown origin. Patients with ocular rosacea may report dryness, itching, and photophobia.• Demodex infestation may increase cutaneous or ocular inflammation in rosacea.

Assessment by the Scheimpflug imaging system of corneal clarity and anterior segment properties in rosacea patients

“… 24 Previous studies reported lower TBUT and Schirmer-1 test scores in rosacea patients. 1 , 10 Lower interleukin and VEGF levels were also demonstrated in rosacea patients which may lead to inflammation on the ocular surface and thus result in a decrease in tear film function tests. 25 In the present study, the authors also observed lower TBUT and Schirmer-1 scores in accordance with the aforementioned studies.…”

“…Rosacea is a chronic progressive disease that causes inflammation on the skin and the ocular surface with a relapsing and remitting course. 1 Classification of rosacea consists of four subtypes (erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular) and one variant (granulomatous) regarding primary and secondary features described by the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee on the Classification and Staging of Rosacea. 2 The disease is usually seen in middle-aged populations with a slight female predominance and of unknown origin, however, an innate immune system, dysbiosis, or variations in microbiome including Demodex infestation may play a role in the inflammatory cutaneous response.…”