Five of the Best Eye Drops for Ocular Rosacea

What Is the Best Treatment for Ocular Rosacea?

There is no cure, so you must manage the symptoms. Most eye doctors will give you a four-step plan to follow each day. This plan, based on what my eye doctor has me doing, includes:

Eyelid wipes twice a day
Fish oil and flaxseed oil supplements
Warm compresses twice a day for 15 minutes each time
Eye drops for ocular rosacea

I quickly learned that some eye drops are far superior to others. When choosing eye drops for ocular rosacea, you want an oil-based eye drop. Visine and other eye drops meant to cure red eyes are not suitable. You need the oil-based for lubrication. I was given a long list of recommended products and quickly picked the five best eye drops for ocular rosacea.

My list was based on how the drops made my eyes feel, how long the drops remained effective after using them, how easy it is for me to buy them, and the price.

My Top Picks for the Five Best Eye Drops for Ocular Rosacea

#5 - Dollar General Lubricant Eye Drops

As odd as it sounds, I really like the generic Dollar General Lubricant Eye Drops. At less than $4 per bottle, these are really inexpensive. I find I only need to apply them two or three times a day, which is nice. You need to have a Dollar General nearby though and have to go to the store to get them. There's another downfall. They do blur the vision for a few minutes. If you use them, you won't want to be heading out driving or doing anything that needs clear vision. Still, they make number five on my list.

#4 - Systane Ultra

Systane Ultra is one of the eye drops recommended by my ophthalmologist and generally I find it is the one that causes the least blurred vision. It feels good when I put it in my eyes and lasts a decent amount of time. I tend to apply them five or six times a day. It's also pretty affordable, especially if you can find manufacturer coupons or the twin packs sold in some stores. Amazon sells the twin packs at a great price.

#3 - GenTeal Lubricant Eye Gel

GenTeal Lubricant Eye Gel is my third choice for the best ocular rosacea eye drops. It feels great, but it's in third place because it's a little messier than drops. This is a gel rather than drops. It will blur your vision for about 20 to 30 minutes, so don't drive after using them. I use them before I shower in the morning and before I go to bed. It lasts a long, long time, making it my favorite before bedtime ocular rosacea eye drop.

#2 - Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops

Blink Tears are pretty affordable and last a while. I tried them because I had a coupon, and I've been very pleased by the results. They last a long time and the relief is instant. They don't blur the vision at all, which is handy, especially when I need to drive after using them.

#1 - Systane Balance Restorative Formula

My favorite lubricating eye drop is Systane Balance Restorative Formula. These drops feel so good. They maintain moisture levels for a very long time. I only use them twice a day. They are a little more expensive, but they don't blur the vision at all, making it a great option for an eye drop for ocular rosacea if you are about to head off in your car.

Like many rosacea treatments, you'll have to do some trial and error to find what works best for you. I do recommend looking online for coupons. While you find your favorite brands of lubricating eye drops for rosacea, you'll want to save money.

Speaking from personal experience, ocular rosacea is one of the hardest forms of rosacea to deal with. Rosacea itself is embarrassing, emotionally uncomfortable and often leads to you wanting to stay at home because your red face is hard to accept and makeup can only do so much. With ocular rosacea, there is physical discomfort, too.

How do I describe what ocular rosacea feels like? Imagine having sand in your eyes 24/7. Or, imagine there is an eyelash that's curled the wrong way and is rubbing against your eye each time you blink. You develop a really painful sty along the lower eyelash line. Your eyes itch and feel irritated at all hours. That's ocular rosacea.

How Does Rosacea Affect the Eyes?

With ocular rosacea, the production of oil from the glands within the eyelids is blocked. This blockage may be partial or full. If you look at the composition of a tear, it's a mix of saline, oil, and mucus. Saline and mucus are not enough to keep the eye lubricated for an extensive period of time. The oil from the glands is also needed. If there's no oil, the tears evaporate quickly.

People with ocular rosacea also experience sties, These painful pimples on the lash line or eyelid can be very swollen and painful. If the infection is too bad, antibiotics may be recommended.

What Triggers Ocular Rosacea?

No one really understands the true cause of rosacea. Ocular rosacea is similar. Every patient is different. Some seem to have flare-ups when it's dry and windy. Others find the condition worsens when pollen counts are high.

You may find that your ocular rosacea symptoms increase when your rosacea flare-ups occur. Foods, environmental conditions, and even skin care products may all trigger your skin and eye condition.

Is Ocular Rosacea the Same as Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition where the eyelid becomes inflamed. Symptoms are very similar to ocular rosacea. It's hard to treat, just like rosacea, but it's very rare that it causes damage to your eyesight.

What is the Main Cause of Blepharitis?

Ocular rosacea is one of many causes of blepharitis. Allergies, bacterial infections, clogged glands, lice/mites, and seborrheic dermatitis are other causes.

How is Blepharatis of the Eye Treated?

You have to see a doctor. The doctor will look at your eyelids and may take a skin scraping to look for infections, fungus, lice, or mites. Depending on the outcome of the scraping, antibiotics may be prescribed. Many cases simply require better care of the eyelids through warm compresses and cleaning with a gentle eyelid wash.

What Foods Cause Rosacea?

Foods do not cause rosacea. Foods can trigger flare-ups, however. People with rosacea often find that their symptoms increase when they eat spicy foods or foods high in acid or histamines like spinach and tomatoes. Citrus fruits, sugar, and wheat are other common food triggers of rosacea.

Is Ocular Rosacea Curable?

No, it's not curable. It may go into remission, but it can return. The best plan is to see an ophthalmologist and have your eyes examined. You'll find out how blocked the oil glands are. The test isn't uncomfortable, but it does require sitting still for several minutes with your eyes closed. Follow your eye doctor's recommendations.

Is Ocular Rosacea an Autoimmune Disease?

The jury's still out on that question. The American Academy of Dermatology released a study in 2016 that suggests rosacea is an autoimmune disease. Women who have rosacea also tend to have an autoimmune disease like celiac, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Men with rosacea often have rheumatoid arthritis. Research is ongoing.

Can Rosacea in the Eye Cause Blindness?

Theoretically, yes rosacea can cause blindness. However, to reach that point, you'll have to go a long time ignoring the symptoms and refusing to see an ophthalmologist.

Two issues can impact your vision. The first is a condition where the dry eye scratches the cornea over time. It can cause damage that affects your vision.

The second is rare. Rosacea keratitis is caused when inflammation causes an ulcer in the cornea. If it perforates, the condition can lead to blindness.