Ocular rosacea in childhood.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment response of ocular rosacea in the pediatric population.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Nazir
Sayeda Asad
SA
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
Murphy
Scott
S
Siatkowski
R Michael
RM
Chodosh
James
J
Siatkowski
Rhea L
RL
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005469:Fluorometholone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012393:Rosacea / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D005469:Fluorometholone