Ocular rosacea with corneal thinning in a 19-year-old male patient. Case report.

Abstract

Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may involve the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and may be delayed when skin manifestations are mild or absent. A 19-year-old male patient with a history of cutaneous rosacea presented with bilateral ocular burning, foreign body sensation, and decreased visual acuity. Ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral anterior blepharitis, tarsal gland dysfunction, xerophthalmia, dry eye symptoms, conjunctival hyperemia, and superficial corneal vascularization associated with peripheral stromal thinning associated with dry eye syndrome. Treatment included eyelid hygiene, eye ocular lubricants lubrication, topical fluorometholone, and oral doxycycline, resulting in with progressive clinical improvement. Ocular rosacea represents a diagnostic challenge due to its variable presentation. Early recognition of inflammatory sings of the eyelid margin inflammation and corneal involvement is essential to prevent visual sequelae.