How can you tell the difference between dry eyes, episcleritis and ocular rosacea?

[Dave98]

All three have very similar symptoms (red veiny eyes, stinging, burning, light sensitivity, etc,..) How do you distinguish each one?

[JohnHaganMD]

You probably can't.  An ophthalmologist has his/her education and special instruments.  Rosacea usually has a rash on forehead, cheeks, nose and eyelids.

[Dave98]

So does ocular rosacea only happen to people with facial rosacea? Or can things like an infection or computer vision syndrome cause it?

[JohnHaganMD]

Rosacea is a specific disease and not caused by dry eyes, needing glasses or computer use. It may involve the entire face and eyelids or may just involve the eyelids and not the face.

[Dave98]

So can ocular rosacea just spring up one day, or is it from birth? I hve never had any redness in cheeks or face, so I'm wondering if the ocular form can just come one day...