Factsheet

tearing of the eye eye pain sensitivity to light eye tenderness eyes, bloodshot a pink or purple coloration to the eyeball ------our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Episcleritis Pathophysiology is seen most A benign inflammatory condition of the external eye, episcleritis

remains clear in this condition, although long-standing or recurrent cornea remains clear in this condition, formation. There is no associated anterior episcleritis may lead to dellen include: chamber reaction. Other symptoms patients complain of mild pain or tenderness to the affected region, patients complain of mild pain often there is no associated discomfort. The particularly upon manipulation, and overlying conjunctival vessels, although the redness may be diffuse and overlying conjunctival vessels, there may be a translucent white throughout these tissues. Occasionally, area (nodular episcleritis). While some nodule centrally within the inflamed Episcleritis presents as a relatively asymptomatic acute onset redness in one Episcleritis presents as a relatively observe a sectoral injection of the episcleral or both eyes. Typically, you'll with episcleritis. It is a common condition. with episcleritis. It is a common is unknown, but certain such as , Sjogren's certain diseases such as rheumatoid is unknown, but and have been associated syndrome, , herpes zoster, tissue containing many blood vessels that nourish the . On the front of the sclera. On the front many blood vessels that nourish tissue containing of the is covered by the . the eye, the episclera progress to . The cause mild and usually does not episclera is usually The sclera is composed of collagenous fibres to form a white, hollow ball. It is to form a white, hollow ball. of collagenous fibres The sclera is composed the episclera, a thin layer of the eyeball and is covered by the skeleton of An inflammation of the episclera, a membrane covering the sclera of the eye. of the episclera, a membrane An inflammation and risk factors Causes, incidence, What is Episcleritis? What is

Factsheet

our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness Episcleritis Prevention When searching for the cause of episcleritis, remember that inflammatory When searching for the cause of episcleritis, remember that most bowel , , and Crohn's disease are the commonly associated systemic disorders. for better evaluation of the underlying sclera. In severe or diffuse cases in which the is more difficult, In severe or diffuse cases in which the differential diagnosis 2.5% will allow blanching the conjunctiva and episclera with severe scleritis, which is far more painful and may have implications that are severe scleritis, which is far more painful and may have implications more serious. Episcleritis is one of those conditions, like subconjunctival hemorrhage, that Episcleritis is one of those conditions, like subconjunctival do not have typically looks worse than it is. Reassure patients that they the more "pink-eye." However, be sure to distinguish this condition from Clinical Pearl of the association with systemic disorders, refer patients with extremely of the association with systemic than three recurrences for a medical severe presentations or more evaluation. Re-examine patients weekly. For those on topical steroid therapy for more Re-examine patients weekly. to monitor for elevation of IOP. Because than two weeks, perform tonometry severe cases, particularly nodular episcleritis, may require oral NSAIDs to severe cases, particularly nodular quell the inflammation. Q3-4H will speed resolution and decrease the tenderness. The patient may Q3-4H will speed resolution and liberally if discomfort persists. More use cold compresses and artificial from a regimen of topical anti-inflammatory agents and lubricants. from a regimen of topical anti-inflammatory 1% or fluorometholone acetate applied Typically, prednisolone acetate spontaneously within two to three weeks even if the patient does not undergo within two to three weeks even spontaneously who are experiencing discomfort may benefit treatment. However, patients Management that they will resolve episcleritis are self-limiting, meaning Most cases of erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, Wegener's inflammatory bowel disease, erythematosus, syphilis. , herpes zoster virus or granulomatosis, than men. The disorder is idiopathic in the majority of cases, however in disorder is idiopathic in the majority than men. The with some underlying systemic there may be an association certain instances nodosa, systemic rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis disease such as commonly in young adults. Women appear to be affected slightly more often slightly more to be affected Women appear in young adults. commonly Factsheet

rarely, scleritis may develop relapses may occur - - our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on to our public information line on 0845 129 5001 or log on www.eyecaretrust.org.uk The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote charity that exists to promote is a registered Trust The Eyecare information call of all aspects of eye health. For more awareness

alling your health care provider Episcleritis Call your optometrist or GP if symptoms of episcleritis persist, or if the eyes Call your optometrist or GP if decreases. are very painful. Also, call if vision C

Complications Expectations (prognosis) without treatment. It also responds well to Episcleritis usually runs its course treatment. inflammation in 3 or 4 days. inflammation in Treatment treatment in 1 to 2 weeks. is often runs its course without The inflammation may hasten the resolution of with eye drops Topical therapy usually necessary. Signs and tests the disorder. No tests are is usually sufficient to diagnose Eye examination There is no known way to prevent this disorder. to prevent this no known way There is