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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe goal of therapy for ocular rosacea is to manage the condition. There is no specific cure.
Medications
Doctors typically prescribe oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, others), erythromycin or minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, others), for severe ocular rosacea. Rarely, your doctor may also prescribe the temporary use of oral antibiotics or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Artificial tears may be helpful to combat the dryness, but some tear preparations designed to alleviate redness can make the redness worse, especially when the drops are discontinued after long-term use.
References
- Rosacea. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rosacea/default.asp. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- Bron A. Ocular rosacea. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=55781421. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- Webster GF. Rosacea. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:1183.
- Paralejo B, et al. Dermatologic and allergic conditions of the eyelid. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2008;28:137.
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