- Water: You should consume plenty of filtered water per day. This amount should be measured as it is specific to every individual, but usually half your bodyweight in ounces of water (75 ounces for someone weighing 150 pounds). Or you can just shoot for the typical eight glasses per day.
- Fatty Acids: Fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which have unique anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids are present in fish oils, borage and black currant seed oil. Click here to shop Omega-3 supplements.
- Avoid spicy, hot foods: For numerous people, consuming spicy, hot food is capable of triggering ocular rosacea, so it is best to avoid eating these sorts of food.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption should be limited, especially as it can be a potential ocular rosacea trigger. It is best to limit consumption to a couple drinks each week if consumption of alcohol triggers rosacea flare-ups.
The simple fact is there is NO CURE for the condition, even if there are remission periods as flare-ups might occur. It helps to know that even flare-ups happen; there are numerous varied remedies that can be applied to help ease the situation.
FAQs about Rosacea and Ocular Rosacea
What are common triggers for ocular rosacea that you have seen in patients? What about stress?
Rosacea is both a genetic and an environmental issue. Stress is huge! An increase in cortisol in the body can cause many issues and definitely contributes to both rosacea and dry eye disease. Others include pent up anger, which can lead to an increase in cortisol as well, spicy (hot) foods, hot caffeinated drinks, extreme hot and cold temperatures, UV light, vigorous exercise, saunas or hot baths, oral and cream based corticosteroids, poor eating habits (inflammatory diets) and poor hygiene (which can increase bacterial load on the skin).
How does rosacea affect meibomian glands and why?
Rosacea affects the meibomian glands because they’re in close proximity to the skin that rosacea affects, and the overproduction of unhealthy oils and bacteria gets overhauled into them. This increases inflammation in the glands, which can eventually cause them to obstruct and produce hardened oils.
Why is it so difficult to diagnose ocular rosacea?
It’s really not difficult to pinpoint someone with rosacea, if the doctor is looking and the patient has presented with the common signs and symptoms. Patients may have outward signs of rosacea, or they may have complaints with hardly any signs at all.
If you believe diet helps rosacea, how do you think it helps? If you believe intake of water helps with rosacea, please explain why.
A healthy diet is just one piece of the large puzzle of rosacea. It’s necessary, because if you’re feeding your body junk and not drinking water during the day (which is the majority of America), your body is going to show it and feel it. Of course with rosacea, there are certain trigger foods to avoid, such as spicy foods that increase heat, but eating a balanced diet is key to the treatment of so much disease.
Green smoothies are a great place to start because they replace most of the unhealthy breakfast foods so often consumed, and you’re flooding your body with nutrients first thing in the morning. Similarly, water intake can’t be ignored because it is necessary for all the cells of the body to function properly. We have continually seen diet changes provide amazing benefits for people with both rosacea and dry eye, and we’ll continue to recommend them.
My understanding is that tea tree oil can be effective for the papules and pustules that some with rosacea develop, but it does not help those of us who have telangiectasia (spider veins) only. In fact, it can be too harsh for the sensitive skin of rosacea. Thoughts?
As far as tea tree oil, I agree that it can be too harsh for some yet tea tree products can help greatly with demodex, which often go hand in hand with rosacea. Most people have some degree of demodex, so I see no issue with recommending tea tree products for use a few times per week.
It’s all about balance here, and it may be that the product can only be used a few times per week but is still effective. IPL is definitely more effective and an amazing treatment that we recommend for rosacea patients.
Should we seek dermatologists in addition to ophthalmologists or optometrists for treatment of rosacea?
Yes, this would be optimal. The treatment for rosacea and ocular rosacea will likely be more effective if you combine dermatologists and ocular experts and seek treatment regimens from both.
Does hypochlorous acid help rosacea?
Hypochlorous acid is going to help level out the excess bacteria that can become a problem for rosacea patients. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that disrupt the bad bacteria while avoiding the good, and this product is something I will continue to recommend for nearly all dry eye and rosacea sufferers. Will it help with your telangiectasia alone? Likely not.
Heat is a common trigger for rosacea, yet many eye docs recommend warm compresses. I understand that blocked glands need to be opened, but if the glands aren’t clogged, what would be the purpose of warm compresses if heat triggers rosacea and increases inflammation?
If warm compresses are bothersome, we recommend not doing them or using cool compresses instead. Many people find that alternating the use of a warm compress with a cool compress seems to be helpful in this case. IPL is a better option for those who find issues with warm compresses.
My understanding is that some types of alcohol are common rosacea triggers, but not all?
It seems that red wine and darker liquors have more of a negative effect.
One Love,
Heather
October 13, 2020
Hey Bobbie,
Thank you for your question. We prefer to treat ocular rosacea as naturally as possible without using prescription medication.
You can do this through diet, hydration, and a great eyelid hygiene routine.
Please take a look at this link.
https://eyelovethesun.com/blogs/dry-eye/how-your-diet-helps-facial-and-ocular-rosacea?pos=2&_sid=44ba23530&ss=r