Rosacea and Chronic Eye Infection

[Brock Vodden]

I have had a relatively mild case of Rosacea for many years, and during the past ten years developed dry eye syndrome and another problem of which I do not know the name. It is an infection for which there is no known cure, although steroids can be used to control the symptoms temporarily. The main problem with this condition is that each time one wakes from sleep, the eyelids are firmly stuck to the eyeballs, and releasing the lids can be quite painful at times. I have seen two recognized experts in this problem and both have confirmed that there is no known cure - only control strategies.

My family doctor recommended Metrogel for the rosacea problem and it certainly helped, but I recalled that a previous doctor had prescribed Tetracycline for this purpose. I suggested to my current doctor that we switch to Tetracycline to see if it would also ease the eye problem. He agreed and suggested that I also keep the Metrogel on hand for those times when the Rosacea flares up.

It worked like a charm. From the first application, the eye lid stickiness was greatly reduced and the Rosacea is also under control most of the time.

I understand that Rosacea, dry eye, and this eye infection often go together even though they are different in origin.

[redhotoz]

Hi Brock

Welcome to the Forum.

I have moved your first post to a new thread, so that it might gain more attention.

As far as the eyes go, I think you are right...it is about control. Maybe one day there will be a fix. I do hope so.

Oral and topical antibiotics are generally the first call that doctors make when presented with a case of Rosacea and can be quite helpful in the beginning. Personally, I don't believe that long term use of oral antibiotics is a good thing as you can become resistant to them or develop yeast infections (both men and women). Low doses of oral antibiotics are purported to have an anti-inflammatory effect without killing off good bacteria, such as Oracea/Periostat, which is basically low dose Doxycycline - part of the Tetracycline family.

Can I please ask how long you have been taking antibiotics?

Jen

[Brock Vodden]

I have been taking the tetracycline for about 3 years (my guess). I took it briefly around 1992 when first diagnosed, but the R was very mild then and easy to control.

[Brock Vodden]

Jen:

An after-thought. The main reason for staying with the Tetracycline is that it is the only real help I have found for the eye problem. Before this, there was a great deal of corneal damage and other infections were occurring quite often. Other wise I could have stayed with a topical.

In 2002 I had a radical prostatectomy which was followed immediately by Ogilvie's Syndrome. This is turn led to major abdomenal surgery, and a three week hospital stay, with none of my regular medication. Near the end of the hospitalization, I could have passed for W.C. Fields or Rudolph. Not just redness but open sores. I don;t want to go that route again.

[rosey]

If you are treating occular rosacea, do not take an antibiotic dose of tetracycline. Insist that you get Oracea. Works the exact same without any side effects. Plus you can stay on it indefinately if you like! Why risk harming yourself if you dont need to?

[redhotoz]

If you are treating occular rosacea, do not take an antibiotic dose of tetracycline. Insist that you get Oracea. Works the exact same without any side effects. Plus you can stay on it indefinately if you like! Why risk harming yourself if you dont need to?

Hi Rosey

http://www.oracea.com/

"Traditional tetracycline contraindications, precautions, and warnings must be considered prior to the use of Oracea."

"Safety of Oracea beyond 9 months has not been established."

You might also like to read a discussion that was had before in this thread:

http://forum.rosaceagroup.org/viewtopic.php?t=3669&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

"Is Oracea "devoid of antibiotic activity" (as in no long term bacterial resistance) or do we believe that it can "reduce the development of resistant bacteria", if Oracea is used as indicated. Reducing the possibility of bacterial resistance and being avoid of antibiotic activity are two different things."

Jen

[rosey]

My doctor told me it is absolutely not an antibiotic and doesnt kill bacteria. That means it wouldnt cause any bacterial resistance right? As far as those warnings, the FDA requires those on all tetracycline drugs. That doesnt mean its the case with Oracea, just a tetracycline thing. If you read the PI, it also says Oracea could cause sun sensitivity (a comon side effect of doxy), but the next sentence says that wasnt seen with Oracea. This is another example of how all "class" warnings must be put into the PI even if its not the the case with this specific drug. He said Oracea is just as safe as a cream or gel. Believe what you want, but Oracea doesnt kill any bacteria, therfore doesnt cause ANY resistance. Thats why the side effects arent there either, because the bacteria are completely left alone.