Signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea can precede the skin symptoms of rosacea, develop at the same time, develop later or occur on their own. Signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea may include:

• Dry eyes
• Burning or stinging in the eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Grittiness or feeling of having a foreign body in the eye or eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Redness
• Dilated small blood vessels on the white part of the eye that are visible when you look in a mirror
• Red, swollen eyelids
• Tearing

The severity of ocular rosacea symptoms don't always match the severity of skin symptoms.

The exact cause of ocular rosacea, like skin rosacea, is unknown. It may be due to one or more factors, including:

• Heredity
• Environmental factors
• Bacterial involvement
• Blocked glands in the eyelids
• Eyelash mites

A number of factors can aggravate rosacea, so they can aggravate ocular rosacea, as well. Some of these factors include:

• Hot or spicy foods or beverages
• Alcohol
• Sunlight, wind or temperature extremes
• Certain emotions, such as stress, anger or embarrassment
• Strenuous exercise
• Hot baths or saunas
• Some medications, such as cortisone creams and drugs that dilate blood vessels

Ocular rosacea is common in people with rosacea, although you can also have eye rosacea without the skin being involved. Skin rosacea affects more women than men, and ocular rosacea affects men and women equally. Some studies suggest that among people with rosacea, those who blush easily may be more likely to also develop eye symptoms.

Ocular rosacea may affect the surface of your eye (cornea), particularly when you have dry eyes from a deficiency of tears. Corneal complications can lead to visual symptoms. Inflammation of your eyelids (blepharitis) can cause secondary irritation of the cornea from misdirected eyelashes or other complications. Ultimately, corneal complications can lead to vision loss.