Ocular signs, symptoms and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients receiving azithromycin

Tetracycline derivatives provide moderate benefit in the treatment of ocular rosacea. Recently, azithromycin has been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of cutaneous papulopustular rosacea.

We planned a study to evaluate the effects of azithromycin on ocular symptoms, signs and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients.

An open-labelled study was performed in a population of 20 papulopustular rosacea patients.

Eighteen subjects completed the trial. Significant improvement was seen in ocular symptoms, eyelid findings and conjunctival hyperaemia scores (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.005, respectively). Therapeutic benefit was not observed in ocular surface staining scores. Baseline values of Schirmer test results were within normal limits. No significant side-effects were observed. Limitations The study population is limited to dermatology patients who had been referred to the ophthalmology clinic.

Azithromycin may be a new promising therapeutic alternative in ocular rosacea.