Oral Tetracyclines for Ocular Rosacea: An Evidence-Based Review of the Literature

Purpose: To review the basis for the use of oral tetracyclines in ocular rosacea. Methods: Review of the published literature. Results: Two prospective, masked, and placebo-controlled studies of oxytetracycline for ocular rosacea demonstrated a modest treatment benefit. Studies performed with tetracycline and doxycycline for ocular rosacea were not placebo controlled, and the optimal drug, dose, and schedule of administration were not evaluated. Conclusions: Available evidence supports a moderate treatment benefit in ocular rosacea for oxytetracycline, a tetracycline derivative not currently available in the United States. The efficacies of doxycycline and tetracycline, including treatment effect, optimal dose, duration of therapy, and side effects when used for ocular rosacea have not been established.