Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea can precede the skin symptoms of rosacea, develop at the same time, develop later or occur on their own. Signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea may include:

• Red, burning, itchy or watering eyes
• Dry eyes
• Grittiness or the feeling of having a foreign body in the eye or eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Dilated small blood vessels on the white part of the eye that are visible when you look in a mirror
• Red, swollen eyelids
• Recurrent eye or eyelid infections, such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), blepharitis, sties or chalazia

The severity of ocular rosacea symptoms doesn't always match the severity of skin symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea, such as dry eyes, burning or itchy eyes, redness, or blurred vision.

If you've been diagnosed with skin rosacea, ask your doctor whether you should undergo periodic eye exams to check for ocular rosacea.