rosacea

[proud48]

I have severe ocular rosacea and facial rosacea. I have been in just severe pain. I have kept a juournal for 6 months and stress form ilness ex: UTI and low humidity makes it go wild. I feel like I just can't handle this horrible pain much longer. My opthalmologist just gave me Lotemax reluctantly because of glaucoma. Is this rosacea suppose to be this paiful? I take Doxy daily, Travatan, erythromycin  eye ointment. I am just at my wits end. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks proud48
Deryl(female)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I would talk to the ophthalmologist about stopping travatan for a couple of weeks to see if that makes any difference. The most common side effect of travatan is redness and irritation of the eyes. If you're a lot better there or other medications for glaucoma that can be tried that are less likely to cause irritation or you consider a glaucoma laser RX (SLT).

Also expess your faith in your treatment team but ask them for a referral to the dermatologist/ophthalmologist they admire most and get an outside, fresh look second opinion.

Use the search feature here and archives and read the many posts about blepharitis treatment. Use ocusoft foam eyelid cleaner or TheraTears SteriLid foam eye cleaner. Use warm compresses on your eye several times per day. Helps and usually makes it feel much better.

JCH MD

[proud48]

Thanks for your response. I should have said I see a dermotologist and take Oracea. It is my eyes that this pain is just more than I can handle. I take the 50 mg. of Doxycycline, Erythromycin Ointment at night and during days of extreme pain. I also use Travatan and use Restasis. and yesterday the opthamologist doctor put me on Lotemax. I can see some better today but still have full blown rosacea in both eyes...To live with pain in your eyes you can not escape it. Do you know of anything we are missing?  
Thnaks again!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. See a very good dermatologist. You likely need to go on oral antibiotics like tetracycline or minocyline and maybe a facial product like MetroGel
2. See another Eye MD that specializes in corneal/external disease.  Find one at www.aao.org

JCH MD