Yes, I have both. In fact, I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist just yesterday. I have all the classic symptoms of ocular rosacea - itchy lids, dry eyes, burning eyes, red lids, inflammation inside lids, meibomian gland dysfunction, chalazia, etc.

He called in two prescriptions for me, told me to keep doing the lid scrubs and warm compresses, but when asked, admitted the best thing I could do would be to get the facial rosacea under control. This would be accomplished by seeing a dermatologist, who would put me on long-term doxycycline. I have not wanted to do this, but apparently, I have no choice, as that is the current treatment of choice.

Tobygirl, perhaps you already know this, but if you go on Doxycycline be sure to be careful in the sun. I'm presently on my fifth month of Doxy (in the past 15 months) for tick-related illness. Before I realized what was happening last year, I lost a lot of hair. Because Doxy makes us more sensitive to the sun, my follicles (? roots, maybe?) were getting fried. After that, I was careful to keep my head covered, and haven't lost any hair since.

Alisande, thank you for the warning. Did you find doxy to be hard on your stomach? This is my big worry, as I'm unable to take so many medications because they bother my stomach.

I have both too, for many years. A long time ago I tried tetracycline, and I do think it helped a bit, though my doctor said she didn't think it would do much. Sunshine seems to make it worse.

Nowadays, I don't take any meds for it. I use artificial tears when my eyes bother me and good makeup for the redness of my skin.

I hate having red eyes...I can't wear red clothing anymore because it makes my eyes look particularly red.

My DH had Rosacea for years. It was so bad I wouldn't let him wear red, even at Christmas. It just brought out the red in his face even more.

He tried antibiotics and the Metro-gel and limited his drinking, spicy foods and time in the sun. Nothing worked.

About 12 years ago we vacationed in Hawaii on the big island. We were walking around an outdoor market when we hear a woman say "I can help you sir" ... there was no one else around so she must have been talking to us so we walked over to her and asked her what she was talking about. She points to my DH and says, I can make the red go away. We were *really* skeptical but decided to take a look at what she was selling.

It was a product made in Hawaii called Kukui Nut Oil and she was selling several different sizes. We bought a small bottle of it for $7 and figured it was worth a try.

When get got back home DH started using it and after years of Rosacea, it cleared up completely. He only used it for about a year and it's stayed away except when he drinks a little too much. It's tough for him to stay out of the sun as he's a tennis coach so even that really hasn't brought it back on.

Of course I doubt it would do anything for ocular rosacea but it's certainly worth a try for the face. You can buy it on Amazon and other places online or if you have a Hilo Hattie's Hawaiian store in your area, they carry it.

Jodi-

Hard to say if Doxy bothers my stomach, since the condition I take it for has my stomach thoroughly messed up. I do take it with food, though, which is supposed to help. You can't take magnesium or calcium (or Tums, etc.) within two hours of taking the Doxy, and I avoid dairy products during that window of time, too.

Jodi! I think you just saved what little is left of my self-esteem. I thank you!

Off to try the oil. The Metro-gel the doctor gave me caused terrible headaches and "burned" my skin.

Stress triggers my rosacea (cheeks and nose) and what has helped me tremendously is Biofeedback. I can lessed the severity and often times eliminate a flare up by doing breathing techniques and visualization.

Over the past several years I tried metro gel, finacea (SP?) oral antibiotics, etc... with little success and lots of side effects. I also have bouts of rosacea on my lower lip that is brought on by spicy, citrus and hot temp foods. I've been dealing with that for a couple of years now and some days it's tough to eat anything, but on a positive note, no need for lip stick as my lips are always a very rosy red.

Jodi, when we were on the Big Island visiting a family run macadamia factory the owner kept talking about Kukui Nut oil as a cure for many things, escpecially skin related.

I hope it works for you Caroline. No guarantees of course. We were so skeptical and didn't really take her claims seriously but like I said, it's worth a try. But please, buy the pure Kukui Nut Oil from Hawaii, not a product mixed with other oils. And I would recommend a scented version as KNOil isn't the most pleasant smell. It's not horrible but a light lavender or something would be nice.

Jodi-

I'll be sure to find the pure oil, Jodi. Even if it helps a little, it will be a blessing.

I have a friend stationed in Hawaii; I can always ask him to send me a bottle if Amazon fails. Of course he has three children and just married a lovely lady three weeks ago, so he might be slow getting it out to me. LOL!

Caroline, the woman we bought it from owned a small business called A'Ala Dreams that sold the oil and she used to have a web site (including a testimonial from me). The site appears to be gone now but she may still have her business on the big island.

Jodi-