April is Rosacea Awareness Month

April is not just a month of blooming flowers and springtime renewal; it's also a time to shed light on an often-misunderstood condition: rosacea. As Rosacea Awareness Month, April serves as an important opportunity to educate and advocate for those living with this chronic skin disorder. Did you know that this can affect your eyes too?

Rosacea affects millions worldwide, causing facial redness, visible blood vessels, bumps, and even eye irritation. Despite its prevalence, there's still a lack of awareness surrounding rosacea, leading to misconceptions and stigmatization. It may come as a surprise to you but over half patients diagnosed with rosacea also exhibit symptoms affecting their ocular health, such as dryness, light sensitivity, and blepharitis-a condition that causes itchy eyelids. All of this can potentially compromise your vision.

Understanding Rosacea and Ocular Rosacea

Rosacea's cause remains elusive, but there are different ways that your team at BeSpoke Vision can help those afflicted with this frustrating condition. 

How do I know if I have Rosacea?

Recognizing rosacea's symptoms is crucial for early intervention, do you experience any of the following? 

• Facial redness: Persistent redness across the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin-a chronic blush that never really goes away.
• Flushing: Intense redness triggered by various factors like spicy foods, alcohol, stress, and UV exposure.
• Papules and Pustules: Small red bumps or pus-filled lesions resembling acne.
• Telangiectasia: Visible blood vessels, including those creeping over eyelid margins, indicating ocular involvement.

Treatment Options for Rosacea and Ocular Rosacea

Effective management of rosacea and ocular rosacea involves a multi-faceted approach:

• Lifestyle modifications: Identify and avoid triggers like spicy foods and alcohol. Dr. McGee has different products that emphasize gentle skincare and sunscreen that you can use day to day in the management of your rosacea.
• Dr. McGee is also a nationally recognized expert in utilizing IPL (intense pulsed light). This special wavelength of light can be used to effectively target and treat persistent redness and pesky unnecessary blood vessels that lead to improving dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, and your overall quality of life. Many patients like this option as it’s a drug free option and is noninvasive.
• Topical medications and treatments can also be utilized as part of the management approach to rosacea. 

If you have rosacea or are curious if you have rosacea schedule a consult with Dr. McGee or call our office 405-341-2062.