Frequency, severity and treatment of ocular rosacea during cutaneous rosacea

Introduction. We have tried to assess the incidence and disclosing factors of ocular rosacea and its treatment in patients presenting with cutaneous rosacea. Patients and methods. We conducted a prospective study over two years of all the patients consulting the Dermatology department of the University hospital in Saint-Etienne for cutaneous rosacea, and signs of the ocular form using a questionnaire and clinical examination. Each patient's case report was then studied individually when the patient presented signs of ocular rosacea. Results. Three hundred eighteen patients consulted for cutaneous rosacea. Only 19 patients (6%) exhibited an ocular rosacea. Erythrocouperose was the predominant cutaneous stage. Conjunctivitis and keratitis were the predominating ophthalmologic symptoms. Tetracyclines were the treatment generally used with 72% of good response. Among the patients presenting with ocular rosacea, 52% had been referred by their general practitioner. Discussion. The severity of the ocular damage is not correlated with the stage of cutaneous involvement. Ocular rosacea in its most developed form still remains the domain of the ophthalmologist. This study confirms cyclines as the treatment of choice in this disease.