Ocular rosacea in childhood

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment response of ocular rosacea in the pediatric population. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The clinic charts of consecutive pediatric cases of ocular rosacea were evaluated over a 34, month period. Minimal diagnostic inclusion criteria were the presence of posterior eyelid inflammation including meibomian gland inspissation and lid margin telangiectasis, in conjunction with conjunctival injection or episcleritis. RESULTS: Six patients ranged from 3 to 12 years of age at presentation. All shared a long history of ocular irritation and photophobia. Five patients (83%) were female and had bilateral involvement. Eyelid telangiectases and meibomian gland disease were present in all cases. Three patients (50%) had sterile corneal ulcers. Only two patients (33%) had cutaneous involvement at the time of diagnosis. All patients experienced significant improvement with a combination of oral antibiotics (doxycycline or erythromycin), with or without topical antibiotics (erythromycin or bacitracin) or topical steroids (fluorometholone). CONCLUSION: Ocular rosacea in children may be misdiagnosed as viral or bacterial infections. Unlike in adults, associated cutaneous changes are uncommon. Most disease is bilateral, although involvement may be asymmetric. Response to conventional treatment is excellent, although long-term treatment may be necessary to prevent relapses.